What Is a Smart Collection? The Simple Way to Merge IPTV Playlists
Smart Collections let you combine channels from multiple Xtream Codes and M3U sources into one curated list, then share it securely without exposing your credentials. Here's how it works.
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If you have more than one IPTV provider, or even just one provider with a messy channel list, you've probably wished for a way to combine the best channels into a single, clean playlist. That's exactly what Smart Collections do in GridStreamr.
What is a Smart Collection?
A Smart Collection is a curated playlist you build from any of your Xtream Codes or M3U sources. You pick which channels, movies and series go in, rename them, reorder them, assign EPG data, and then share the result. Your original provider credentials are never exposed, GridStreamr generates tokenised virtual credentials for anyone you share with.
Why merge playlists at all?
- Your favourite sports channel is on Provider A, but the best movie catalogue is on Provider B.
- Your main provider has thousands of channels you never use, you want just the 40 your family actually watches.
- You want to share live TV access with someone without giving them your login.
- You want to use TiviMate or Kodi but your provider doesn't support those players directly.
How Smart Collections work in 3 steps
- Add your sources, connect any Xtream Codes account or M3U playlist in GridStreamr.
- Curate, tap into any source, long-press a channel or category, and add it to your Smart Collection.
- Share, tap 'Manage Shares' to generate a secure XTREAM or M3U URL for TiviMate, VLC, Kodi, or another GridStreamr user.
Ready to build your first Smart Collection?
Free with 1 Smart Collection. Premium unlocks unlimited.
Smart Collections vs standard playlists
- Standard playlists are a direct import of your provider's list, you can't merge sources or customise without editing the M3U file manually.
- Smart Collections are entirely managed inside GridStreamr, merge any source, rename channels, attach EPG, and share securely.
- Smart Collections support AI enrichment (Premium) for cleaner names and logo discovery.
- Smart Collections sync across all your devices automatically.
Keep reading
GridStreamr: The IPTV Control Plane for Perfect Playlists in Any App
GridStreamr is the IPTV control plane for enthusiasts: curate Smart Collections once, then open them in TiviMate, IPTV Smarters Pro, IBO Player, Kodi, or VLC via Xtream or M3U share links—and in Jellyfin or Plex via M3U (home-server setup).
M3U vs Xtream Codes: Which Should You Use for IPTV?
M3U playlists and Xtream Codes are the two main ways to access IPTV content. Here's the key difference, when to use each, and why Smart Collections let you use both at once.
How to Add EPG to Any IPTV Playlist
No programme guide on your IPTV playlist? Here's how to add EPG to Xtream Codes and M3U sources in GridStreamr using the 50,000+ channel global EPG catalog or your own XMLTV data.