I found the same experience. So what I did was incorporate any and all epg’s I have installed and assigned all of them to every playlist I have. That is when I got most of my playlists populated with a guide. Although NO complete. It is better than nothing! Also, using Tivimate you can assign individual channels to a specific epg. This process is tedious, but it does help in generating more guides for some channels. Even on my pd services I use other epg’s that are from other sources paid or otherwise.
I keep checking github for more free epg sources a few times a week. just keep in mind, an epg needs to be monitored and updated regularly, and that is why most of the free ones don’t work. It takes some work and time to keep them current and running.
What I do with the free iptv urls is save all channels that have an epg present to my favorites. Then I periodically check the channels in the “All Playlist” to see if anymore channels show an epg then save them.
Tbh, most people only watch a few dozen or so channels on a regular basis. There really is no need to have, or search for, an epg for a channel I don’t watch.
I would say right now I have about 100-150 channels in each of my 12 playlists and have over 95% of the epg’s populated for each one. That’s over 1,500 active channels in my favorites all with an epg.
My suggestion is to get acquainted with github, and do Google searches for free epg’s and playlists.
Btw, although I do not recommend, there are paid services that will supply you with an epg specifically for your playlist. They start at around $3 bucks a month.
Here’s the github page where those playlists and epg’s came from. The code/url states the epg’s are embedded in the playlist url, but if the short code does not work. Then always try the long urls and separate epg’s.