Upgrade to Windows Media Center
All your entertainment in one place
Windows Media Center brings together all your favorite entertainment for you to enjoy on your PC, on your TV or on the go.
Quick Links
Take me to another topic
Get Our Newsletter
Media Center and Windows Tips
Sign up for the Exploring Windows newsletter and get the latest tips, tricks, and news for Windows XP and Media Center.
Basic Setup Icon

Add TV listings to Media Center with the Program Guide


Note: The Program Guide is not available in all regions or countries.
The Program Guide in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is a listing of TV shows that you receive. In the Guide, you can view and scroll through a list of current TV shows, which is periodically downloaded from your service provider. The Guide shows you channel and network information, as well as the title, description, and scheduled broadcast time of the show.
Whether you receive a cable, satellite, or antenna TV signal, you can add TV listings (or Guide listings) to Media Center and download up to 14 days of TV programming information at a time.
Guide showing TV listings
The list of TV programs in the Guide is created when you enter information about your TV service provider during the TV Signal setup process.

To set up or change the TV listings in Media Center:
  1. Press the Green Start Button on your remote to open the Media Center Start menu.
  2. Media Center Start menu with My TV selected
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Media Center Start menu with Settings selected
  5. On the Settings page, select TV.
  6. Settings page with TV selected
  7. On the TV Settings page, select Guide.
  8. TV settings page with Guide selected
  9. On the TV Guide Settings page, select Set Up Guide Listings. A wizard is displayed to guide you through the setup.
  10. Guide Settings page with Set Up Guide Listings selected.
  11. When prompted, enter your ZIP or postal code. The Guide will show you a list of TV service providers for your area.
  12. Enter Your ZIP Code page.
  13. Select the TV signal provider that best matches the TV service package you receive.

  14. Select TV Signal Provider page with provider selected.
    Tip: The providers listed vary by ZIP code or postal code. Occasionally the provider you need is not listed for the ZIP code or postal code you entered. If you do not find your TV signal provider in the list, try other ZIP codes or postal codes for nearby areas to see if you can locate the appropriate Guide listings. If you are unsure which TV signal provider to select, consult the bill or statement from your TV signal provider for more information.
  15. Once you've selected the TV signal provider, select Next to download the TV listings. This could take several minutes, depending on the number of channels in the listings and your Internet connection speed.
  16. Select TV Signal Provider with Next selected
  17.  When the download is complete, select Next to exit the wizard.
  18. Download TV Program Guide Information page with Next selected
    You have now set up the Guide with your TV listings. The Guide is ready for you to use—just press the GUIDE button on the remote to access the Guide and look for TV shows you want to watch and record.
MediaCenter