Survival TV Guide: Zomboid’s Hidden Skill Schedule (No Remote Needed)
Table of Contents
Introduction to TV in Project Zomboid
Television in Project Zomboid isn't just background flavor – it can be a powerful tool for early skill gains and lore. In Build 41 ("B41"), savvy survivors learned to exploit the Life and Living TV channel for free XP in the first in-game week. Build 42 ("B42") updates this system with new channels and balance tweaks, but a TV Guide item is still absent – meaning players must plan around broadcast times themselves. For comprehensive skill development strategies, check our complete skills guide.
Why TV Matters
- Free skill XP during the first 9 days
- Unlocks recipes you'd otherwise need to level up for
- Provides crucial early-game advantages
- Delivers story/lore about the Knox Infection
Life and Living TV Schedule
Life and Living TV (channel 203) is the primary skill-show channel in Project Zomboid. It only airs during the first 9 days of gameplay, broadcasting instructional programs that grant skill XP (and even teach recipes) in real time.
Life and Living Programs:
"Woodcraft"
A carpentry show teaching woodworking projects (focuses on Carpentry skill). For advanced carpentry techniques, see our complete carpentry guide.
"The Cook Show"
A cooking show that often unlocks a new recipe at the end of each episode (focuses on Cooking skill). Master cooking with our comprehensive food and cooking guide.
Complete Life and Living TV Schedule
Day | Time | Show | XP (Base) | Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 (July 9) |
00:00 |
Fishing
|
75 XP | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
06:00 |
Cooking
|
112.5 XP | Recipe: Cake Batter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12:00 |
Carpentry
|
75 XP | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18:00 |
Fishing
|
62.5 XP | Recipe: Fishing Rod | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Day 2 (July 10) |
06:00 |
Cooking
|
75 XP | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12:00 |
Carpentry
|
75 XP | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18:00 |
Farming
|
75 XP | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Show Days 3-9 (Click to expand)
|
Important Notes
- Each episode runs for about in-game 30 minutes
- XP is granted in several ticks during the broadcast (stay for the whole show)
- The "base XP" listed is for a character with normal learning speed and no skill book multiplier
- Many episodes unlock recipes or furniture crafting knowledge
- If you miss a broadcast, that XP is gone forever (unless you find the VHS tape). For essential early game priorities, see our first day survival guide
Build 42 Changes
Build 42 introduces several significant changes to the TV/radio system, while keeping the Life and Living schedule itself unchanged.
Skill XP Cap
In B42, Life and Living TV no longer boosts skills beyond level 3 by default. This cap applies to both live TV and skill VHS tapes.
The devs implemented this to rebalance the early-game meta, as previously players could reach very high levels (5–7+) just from TV. Now, level 3 is the max "freebie" from media.
New TV Channels
Build 42 greatly expands the number of TV channels, mainly for lore and atmosphere. There are around 10 TV channels now including news channels (Triple-N, WBLN), entertainment (TURBO, PawsTV), and more.
Life and Living remains the only channel that provides substantial skill XP.
New TV Channels in Build 42
Channel | Content | Benefits |
---|---|---|
Triple-N (NNN) | National news covering the Knox Infection | Lore, story progression |
WBLN News | Government statements, late-night talk show | Lore, story progression |
TURBO | Entertainment, TV shows | Minor XP boosts to certain skills |
PawsTV | Kids' cartoon channel | Reduces boredom |
KPATV | Public access TV, local programming | Post-blackout content via emergency generators |
Music TV | Music videos | Reduces boredom |
NSTV | Sports channel | None known |
BMC | "Broadcast Movie Channel" | Some movies give tiny skill XP |
GBC | General channel with mixed content | Mixed (depends on show) |
Developer Note
The official reasoning for the XP cap was to "stop making every player feel obligated to min-max around Life and Living". They want you to benefit from it (hence level 3 cap, not removing it entirely) but not feel like you must cheese your way to level 7 every time.
Note: There is a sandbox option in B42 to adjust this cap (even set it back to 10 like before) if you prefer the old behavior.
Optimization Strategies
Watching Life and Living TV can dramatically accelerate your character's development, especially in the early game. Here are strategies to optimize your viewing without compromising survival:
Secure a Safe Viewing Spot
Find a starting safehouse with a TV. Clear out local zombies and barricade windows so you can safely watch at the scheduled times.
Early on, the risk of securing a TV location is worth the reward – those free skill levels make survival tasks much easier.
Get a Watch ASAP
Loot a digital watch (or alarm clock) off the first zombie you see. Knowing the in-game time lets you plan runs around broadcast times.
Set alarms for 5:50 AM, 11:50 AM, 5:50 PM to alert you a few minutes before each show.
Read Skill Books First
The top strategy is to read the corresponding skill book before the show airs, to multiply the XP gained. Skill books give ×3, ×5, ×8, etc. multipliers.
If you can finish Carpentry Vol. 1 before a carpentry show, you'll get triple XP from that episode!
Plan Your Day Around Shows
A common mantra is "loot until it's time for TV." Go scavenging but make sure you're back by 11:50 AM for the noon broadcast.
Many players schedule their first-week routine like this to both gather supplies and catch every episode.
TV Volume Management
Keep the TV volume very low or muted while watching (you'll still get the XP). TVs produce sound up to ~15 tiles away that can attract zombies.
Enable subtitles so you can "hear" the show without making noise. Volume 0-1 is safest.
VHS for Catch-Up
If you missed some Life and Living episodes, search VHS stores and video rental shops for the tapes. They're labeled clearly, e.g. "VHS: Woodcraft E3".
Remember that in B42, VHS tapes are also capped at providing level 3 max in a skill.
Best Traits for TV Optimization
-
Fast Learner +30% XP gain applies to TV XP as well
-
Fast Reader Helps you speed-read skill books between shows
-
Dextrous Speeds up inventory management between TV shows
-
Slow Reader Avoid if planning to read books before shows
Pro Tip: Book + TV Synergy
The ultimate combo: Use Fast Learner trait + read the appropriate skill book + watch the corresponding show. For example, if you read Carpentry Vol. 1 and 2 and have Fast Learner, the Day 5 carpentry show (112.5 base XP) could net you over 300 XP – jumping multiple levels instantly!
Community Insights
The Project Zomboid community has thoroughly analyzed the TV meta. Here are a few insights and discussions from recent experiences:
Was the TV "OP"?
Many players abused the B41 TV to essentially speed-run early levels without risk. Some joked that you could "become a master carpenter without ever touching a hammer" just by watching TV.
The B42 change capping XP at level 3 was generally well-received by those who found the old system too gamey. Others disliked it, feeling it removes a fun optimization aspect.
"To Watch or Not to Watch"
Some experienced survivors argue that spending the entire first week locked down for TV isn't the best use of time on higher difficulties.
"Spending your first week holed up just to wait for LnL shows might be a waste… You should only catch up when you can."
In high-population or hardcore settings, aggressively looting food and weapons might take priority over catching every broadcast.
TV and Skill Books Synergy
A widely shared tip is to read books before watching. Community members have posted detailed breakdowns of XP yields showing how a Fast Learner + skill books combo can yield enormous XP from one episode.
For example, if you read Carpentry Vol. 1 and 2 and have Fast Learner, the Day 5 carpentry show (112.5 base XP) could net you over 300 XP – jumping from level 2 to 4 instantly.
New Channels = New Lore
The community has been excited about the expanded lore in B42's broadcasts. Threads have popped up noting things like KPATV's post-day-9 broadcasts about survivor groups and hidden story Easter eggs in the new channels.
These don't help you survive directly, but greatly enrich the atmosphere and world-building. B42 basically turned TVs and radios into storytelling devices, not just tutorial machines.
Popular Community Quote
"DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE LIFE AND LIVING TV"
This has become a mantra in the Project Zomboid forums, emphasizing how crucial these first 9 days of broadcasts can be to your long-term survival.
Mods and Tools
Since the game itself doesn't provide a built-in schedule or reminders, the community has created solutions to help manage the TV schedule:
"TV Guide" Mod
A popular QoL mod released in mid-2024 (Workshop ID 3244232664) that adds an interactive TV schedule item.
You can find or craft a "TV Guide" magazine in-game which, when read, lets you see upcoming program times and set alarms on your digital watch directly from the guide.
In-Game Notes/Alarms
Without mods, players often jot down the schedule externally or use the in-game journal. One low-tech trick is to use a pen and paper item in-game to write down the TV schedule.
The simplest way in vanilla is to use digital watch alarms as reminders; just be careful to turn them off after, so you don't wake yourself up every single day at 6 AM forever!
Other Media-Related Mods
Mod Name | Description |
---|---|
Additional VHS Tapes | Adds more skill tapes for things like electrical work or unique movies |
Alarm Clock Timer | Improves how alarms can be set (e.g. set an alarm X hours from now) |
No TV XP Cap (B42) | Note: This isn't needed as a mod - it's a built-in sandbox option in Build 42 |
DIY TV Schedule
Many players print out or keep a digital list of the schedule handy. With the info in this guide, you can do the same or use a mod to assist. By knowing when and what will air, you can seamlessly incorporate TV learning into your survival strategy!