To broadcast several recorded event sessions as one YouTube Live event, play the replay files in order through OBS Studio’s VLC Video source, then send OBS’s output to a scheduled YouTube stream using its server URL and stream key. Test the whole playlist before going live: OBS handles playback, while YouTube provides the live watch page and later archive.
Know which playlist you need
There are three features that can sound like a “YouTube playlist,” but they do different jobs:
- OBS playlist: A sequence of local replay files played into one encoder output. This is the playlist you need to broadcast several sessions as one live event. OBS’s VLC Video source supports a playlist of items, like an image slideshow: OBS Media Sources.
- YouTube playlist: A way to organize videos and completed live archives on your channel. It does not queue local files into a live broadcast. YouTube recommends organizing archives and highlight clips into playlists after an event: YouTube promotion guidance.
- YouTube Live Redirect: A handoff at the end of a stream to a Premiere or another live stream. It is not a way to play a queue of replay files. Sending viewers to a stream on another channel requires that channel’s permission; the creator initiating a redirect needs more than 1,000 subscribers and no Community Guidelines strikes: YouTube Live Redirect guidance.
Before setting up the broadcast
Confirm the channel can go live
YouTube’s current guidance says a channel must be verified and have no live-streaming restrictions in the past 90 days. Streamers must be at least 16. Check your account’s eligibility and status in YouTube Studio, since access is account-specific: YouTube live streaming tips and Get started with live streaming.
Check rights for the complete replay
Get permission to rebroadcast every part of each session—not only the presenters’ footage, but also music, video clips, graphics, slides and other embedded material. YouTube’s stream settings guidance warns creators to respect audio and video rights in stream content: Manage live stream settings. Permission to show an event recording does not necessarily establish permission for material included within it.
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Prepare the replay files
Put the authorized files in a known folder and decide their running order. Play each one locally before the event. Check that the picture, aspect ratio and audio are correct, and that the file starts and ends where intended. Note any black frames, silence or abrupt cuts you may want to address with a holding slate between sessions.
Set up OBS and the replay playlist
Install OBS and VLC
Install OBS Studio and VLC on the computer that will run the broadcast. OBS’s VLC Video source depends on VLC being installed; if the source is missing in OBS, check that prerequisite. See the OBS Media Sources guide.
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Add and order the replay files
- In OBS, create or select the scene for the broadcast.
- In the Sources panel, select + and add a VLC Video Source. If that option is unavailable, verify VLC is installed.
- Open the source properties and add the replay files in the order you want them shown. Check the list carefully before the event.
- Turn shuffle off to keep the intended order. Set the playlist to loop if you want it to begin again after the last item; otherwise, configure it to stop at the end.
- Use OBS’s preview to confirm the video fits the canvas and the audio is audible. Add another scene or source only if needed—for example, a holding slate between sessions.
OBS documents its source and scene controls in the Sources Guide. The VLC playlist is the playback queue; it does not create separate YouTube videos for each item.
Schedule the YouTube Live event and connect OBS
- In YouTube Studio, open the Live Control Room and schedule a stream. Scheduling gives viewers an upcoming watch page where they may opt in for a reminder. YouTube’s encoder workflow is documented in Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder.
- In the event’s stream settings, copy the YouTube Live server URL and stream key into OBS’s stream settings. YouTube’s instruction is: “To start streaming, enter your YouTube Live server URL and stream key into your encoder.”
- Treat the stream key like a password. Do not include it in a screenshot, overlay, public post or shared setup document. If it is exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube Studio before broadcasting.
- Set the event’s title, description, visibility and other stream options in YouTube Studio. Review the settings before sharing the watch-page link.
YouTube recommends sharing the stream link at least 48 hours before the event so viewers have time to find the scheduled broadcast: Promote your live stream.
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Test the full show before viewers arrive
Do a complete run-through, not just a quick check of the first file. YouTube recommends setting up the encoder at least two hours ahead and starting it at least 15 minutes before the scheduled event; these are YouTube recommendations, not guaranteed technical requirements: YouTube live streaming tips.
- Start OBS and confirm that YouTube’s Live Control Room receives the stream and displays a usable preview.
- Play through the full playlist in the intended order. Confirm that every file advances, the final item behaves as intended, and looping is on or off as planned.
- Listen for missing, distorted or unexpectedly quiet audio. Check that transitions and any holding slate look right.
- Check the scheduled event’s time and visibility, and confirm the stream is reaching the correct channel.
- Keep the encoder computer and its network connection available throughout the broadcast, and monitor the stream while it runs.
End the live event and organize its replay
End the broadcast from the encoder and confirm the event has ended in YouTube Studio. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; check the channel’s Live tab for the replay. Longer streams may not be archived automatically, so do not rely on the automatic archive for an event that reaches 12 hours. See the YouTube encoder guide.
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Once the archive is available, organize it with other event recordings or highlight clips in a YouTube channel playlist. That channel playlist is for discovery after publication, separate from the OBS playlist that fed the live broadcast: YouTube promotion guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common problems
The VLC Video source is missing
OBS requires VLC for this source. Install VLC, then reopen OBS and check the Sources panel again. If the source still does not appear, consult OBS’s media source documentation.
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The files play in the wrong order or repeat unexpectedly
Reopen the VLC Video source properties and inspect the playlist order, shuffle setting and loop behavior. Test from the first item through the last; do not assume the list is correct because the first replay plays properly.
YouTube does not show a preview
Check that OBS has the correct YouTube server URL and stream key for the scheduled event. Verify that OBS is streaming and that the Live Control Room is open for the same event. If the key may have been exposed or copied from a different event, retrieve the correct credentials in Studio and update OBS.
Picture appears but audio is missing or wrong
Check the replay file in a local player, then watch OBS’s audio meters while it plays. Confirm the VLC source is not muted and that the expected audio is reaching the stream preview. A full playlist test can reveal a problem limited to one session.
The broadcast stops before the playlist finishes
Compare the event’s total duration with the planned broadcast window and monitor the encoder and network connection during the show. The automatic archive guidance is specifically for streams under 12 hours; it does not mean a stream will continue indefinitely or guarantee an archive beyond that duration.
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