YouTube Studio can schedule a live event, but its documented scheduling controls do not switch from one playlist to another when playback ends. To control what viewers see during a live broadcast, play media through an encoder such as OBS and send that output to the scheduled YouTube stream. OBS can play a media playlist, but its documented playlist controls do not provide an automatic transition between two separate playlists.
What “playlist” means in this setup
There are two different things a creator might mean by a YouTube playlist:
- A YouTube playlist is a collection of videos on your channel. It organizes uploaded videos for viewers; it is not the media queue for an encoder’s live broadcast. YouTube’s playlist guide covers creating and managing those collections.
- An encoder media playlist is a sequence of media files played by streaming software, such as OBS, and included in the live output. This is the kind of playlist you need to manage what plays during a live stream.
Scheduling the YouTube event and choosing the encoder’s playback sequence are separate jobs. The scheduled event gives viewers a page for the broadcast; the encoder controls the media sent to it.
Schedule the YouTube live event
- In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room, select Manage, and choose the option to schedule a stream. YouTube’s live stream settings guide describes scheduling and managing streams. You can create a new stream or reuse settings from an earlier one.
- Set the event details and schedule it for the time you want. The scheduled stream has its own YouTube event page; scheduling does not start or configure the encoder’s playlist.
- Keep the scheduled event open or return to it when you are ready to connect your encoder and go live.
Set up a media playlist in OBS
- Install VLC if necessary. OBS’s VLC Video source is available only when VLC is installed. If the source is missing from OBS’s source choices, install VLC and reopen OBS.
- Add the playlist source. In the scene you intend to broadcast, add a VLC Video source and add the media files you want it to play. OBS’s Media Sources guide documents VLC Video playlists and their controls.
- Set the order. Arrange the media items in the order you want viewers to see them. Check that the files are supported and play correctly before your scheduled start.
- Choose loop and shuffle behavior. The source provides Loop Playlist and Shuffle Playlist controls. OBS’s guide lists looping as on and shuffle as off by default. For a deliberate sequence, keep shuffle off; decide whether to loop the list based on whether the broadcast should repeat it.
Can OBS switch to a different playlist automatically?
The documented VLC Video source controls cover one playlist, including whether it loops or shuffles. The OBS guide does not specify an automatic transition from one separate playlist to another when the first ends. YouTube’s reviewed scheduling documentation likewise does not provide a native playlist-switch setting for a scheduled live event.
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If you need separate lists to play in sequence within one live event, you may need to arrange additional OBS scene or source automation. Do not assume that adding a second list alone will make OBS switch to it unattended; test the complete sequence before relying on it for a scheduled broadcast. If you only need one continuous sequence, put the desired media items in one VLC Video playlist and set its loop and shuffle behavior.
Connect OBS to the scheduled stream
- Open the scheduled stream in YouTube Live Control Room and locate its encoder connection details: the stream URL and stream key.
- In OBS, open the stream connection settings and enter the URL and key from that YouTube event. Use the values for the event you intend to broadcast; do not share the stream key publicly.
- Confirm the correct OBS scene and media source are active, then start streaming from OBS when you are ready. YouTube’s encoder setup guide explains the connection flow and starting the encoder.
- Check the Live Control Room to confirm that YouTube is receiving the encoder output before the event begins. When you want to end the broadcast, stop the encoder transmission; the YouTube guide describes stopping the encoder as the way to end the stream.
What happens when the stream ends
Ending the encoder transmission ends the live broadcast; it does not trigger a playlist change in the scheduled event. YouTube documents a separate feature called Live Redirect for directing viewers after a stream ends, but that is not a way to switch the media playlist inside the same live stream. Keep post-stream viewer routing separate from the encoder’s playback plan.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Will viewers get a reminder for a scheduled YouTube stream?
YouTube says scheduled streams may appear as upcoming events, where viewers can find them and receive reminders.
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Does YouTube’s playlist feature make uploaded videos play as a live broadcast?
No. A YouTube playlist is a collection of videos on the platform; an encoder media source is what plays files as part of a live output.
Quick Recap
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