Today’s question comes from Ian, who asks, “Is there a way to record a Live TV channel that I’m currently watching on Tablo without returning to the guide?”
The ability to start recording a live TV channel you’re currently watching without returning to the guide has been a long-standing feature request from Tablo users.
It’s now possible thanks to the new Record Live feature in the latest versions of 4th Generation Tablo apps for Apple TV, as well as Samsung TIZEN and LG smart TVs. The feature will be available on other Tablo apps in the coming months.
Using the New Record Live Feature
Users with compatible Tablo apps can access the new Record Live button within the In-Player Content Tray, making it easy to start recording a live program without missing a single second.
To access the new button, simply select down ( ↓ ) on the directional pad of your remote while you’re playing live TV.
This will allow the In-Player content tray to appear. The RECORD button is located to the right of the PLAY/PAUSE button.
Selecting it will tell your Tablo to start a recording of the program you’re currently watching.
When the recording has begun, the button will turn orange. Selecting the button again will end the recording immediately, instead of automatically at the end of the current program.
If your request causes a recording conflict, a flyout screen will warn you.
The flyout screen will not provide specifics regarding the recording conflicts. Selecting Yes, Start Recording will stop or unschedule one of your conflicting recordings. Any conflicting airing can be selected, so we recommend returning to the Live TV Grid or the Conflicts screen to review those details before proceeding.
Completed recordings will be available in your Library screen as usual.
A DVR Workaround for Channels with Missing TV Guide Data
The new Record Live feature is also an excellent workaround for creating short recordings on channels with missing TV guide data. Recordings from these channels will be labelled as: Rec [channel callsign] [channel number] [YYYY][MM] [DD] in your Library, for example Rec WCPO-TV 9.1 2026-09-18.
However, users affected by channels with missing data are encouraged to contact support to attempt to fully resolve the problem.
Record Live Feature Details & Availability
This feature is available now on Apple TV via update version 2.3.0. Samsung TIZEN and LG webOS smart TVs updated to version 2.0.6 of the Tablo app can also access this feature. Record Live will be coming to additional 4th Generation Tablo apps and platforms over the coming months.
For additional details and FAQs about the feature, head over to the Tablo Knowledge Base.
Are there other new features you’d love to see come to the Tablo platform? Visit the new Feature Request section of the Tablo Community Forum and suggest and vote for your favorites!
Have a question about watching TV that you’d like answered? Send us a note and you may see your question on the Tablo blog and in an upcoming issue of our newsletter, Stay Tuned!
