This project provides a curated M3U playlist for free TV channels globally, focusing on quality and accessibility. Channels include those available over-the-air, as well as streams from platforms like Plex TV, Pluto TV, Redbox Live TV, Roku TV, Samsung TV Plus, and YouTube live channels. The playlist aims for high-definition (HD) streams where possible, providing only a single, stable URL per channel, avoiding alternative feeds or regional variations.

The core philosophy dictates that only genuinely free channels are included; this excludes channels typically requiring commercial subscriptions or those funded by external political entities. Content must be mainstream, prohibiting adult, overtly religious, or political party-specific channels.

The playlist, playlist.m3u8, is automatically generated by a Python script, make_playlist.py. This script processes .md files located in the lists directory. Each .md file represents a distinct channel group, with its HTML $<h1>$ tag serving as the group title within the output M3U playlist. Channels are included in the final playlist.m3u8 only if their URL column in the .md file begins with the specific marker $[>]$.

The system employs special indicators to categorize channel characteristics:

• Ⓢ: Denotes a Standard Definition (SD) channel, indicating it is not in HD.
• Ⓖ: Signifies that the channel utilizes GeoIP blocking, restricting access based on geographical location.
• Ⓨ: Identifies the channel as a live stream originating from YouTube.

Channel sources are diverse, including github.com/iptv-org/iptv/tree/master/streams, YouTube, and Dailymotion, with emphasis on stream stability and viewership.

Contributions to the project are managed via GitHub Pull Requests (PRs). Issues are reserved strictly for bugs and feature requests, not for channel additions, edits, or removals. When submitting a PR to modify channels, contributors must exclusively edit the .md files; direct modifications to playlist.m3u8 are disallowed.

To add a new channel, a PR must include proof of its free availability. Channel logos should be hosted on imgur.com. A valid, working stream for inclusion requires the $[>]$ prefix in its URL within the .md file. If a stream is unavailable or non-functional, the channel should be placed in an "Invalid" category, and its URL prefixed with [x]() (for no stream) or [x] (for a broken stream). For geoblocked URLs, the PR must specify the working country and these URLs require verification.

To remove a channel, a PR must provide evidence that it is now exclusively available via a private paid subscription; public taxes or TV licenses do not qualify as such. If a stream becomes broken, it should be moved to the "Invalid" category by replacing the $[>]$ prefix with [x] in its URL.