Abstract: The disclosed principles provide, in one aspect, an electronic program guide (EPG) that is synchronized in real-time with the actual programs that are being broadcasted on TV, radio, and other forms of media. Unlike traditional EPGs described in the prior art, the synchronized EPG updates the start and end time of TV programs not only before they occur, but also while they are being aired, and after they have finished. This real-time information is used by recorders to ensure that programs are recorded from their very beginning (and not before) until their very end, without missing parts of the programs. Unlike traditional EPGs, the synchronized EPG recognizes the fact that the exact program start and end times are often not known in advance, and conveys that information to the recorders as it becomes available. With this data, recorders can, for instance, extend the recording time of a tennis match that runs longer than expected.