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To use the current Wowza Video REST API, first confirm that your account has access to API v2.0: accounts that have not migrated to the new Wowza Video UI cannot use it. Then create a JWT, send authenticated HTTP requests to the v2.0 API, create a live stream, connect a WebRTC or RTMP source, and verify playback rather than treating a successful start request as proof that viewers can see the stream.
Check that your account can use the current API
“Wowza Streaming Cloud” is the title’s legacy product name; the current documentation calls the service Wowza Video. Wowza marks API v2.0 as current and v1.x as legacy. The v2.0 Live Streams reference also warns that accounts that have not moved to the new Wowza Video UI cannot access v2.0. Check your account and the current version lifecycle or release notes before building an integration. Do not assume an older v1.x example or request body works unchanged with v2.0.
The examples below describe the request pattern and workflow. For the exact fields and request body needed to create a stream, use the current v2.0 endpoint reference and quick start; do not copy a legacy schema into a v2.0 request.
Prepare authentication and request headers
Create and protect a JWT
Wowza API requests use a JWT as a bearer token. The quick start describes personal tokens for user-linked testing and system tokens, available to organization owners, for production integrations designed to persist if an individual leaves. A token is shown only once when created in the UI, so store it securely. Never commit it to a repository, expose it in client-side code, or print it in logs.
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For a shell session, keep the token in an environment variable rather than embedding it in a command or script:
export WV_JWT='your-token-here'Use the API base URL https://api.video.wowza.com/api/v2.0. Authenticate each request with Authorization: Bearer $WV_JWT. For POST and PATCH requests, also send Content-Type: application/json.
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Know what each HTTP method does
POSTcreates records, such as a live stream.GETretrieves a resource or its state.PATCHupdates selected attributes.PUTperforms actions such as starting or stopping an entity.DELETEremoves records.
Some GET endpoints may return cached responses. If your workflow requires a fresh read, consult Wowza’s response-caching documentation and the endpoint’s behavior rather than assuming every GET is uncached.
Create and operate a WebRTC live stream
Wowza’s v2.0 quick start demonstrates a WebRTC flow: create the live stream, connect a source, use a Wowza-hosted player page for playback, and control start and stop through the API. This suits event or operations software that needs to provision and manage a broadcast programmatically. You need a Wowza Video account and JWT; examples can be sent with cURL, Postman, or another REST client.
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- Create the stream. Send a
POSTrequest to/live_streams, with JSON headers and the exact required fields from the current v2.0 quick start or endpoint reference. A representative request envelope is:curl -X POST 'https://api.video.wowza.com/api/v2.0/live_streams' -H "Authorization: Bearer $WV_JWT" -H 'Content-Type: application/json' --data '{ ... current v2.0 request body ... }'The ellipsis is not a valid API body: replace it with the documented v2.0 fields and values appropriate to your account and broadcast. The current reference, not a v1.x example, is authoritative for the schema.
- Save the returned identifiers and source details. Keep the created stream’s ID and any returned connection or player information needed by your workflow. Treat credentials and stream keys as secrets.
- Connect the video source. Follow the source instructions for the WebRTC stream you created. The camera or other supported source is the physical video input; the REST API is the control plane, not a camera. A webcam is one possible source, not a required or certified model.
- Start the stream. Call
PUT /live_streams/{id}/start, substituting the stream ID. For example:curl -X PUT "https://api.video.wowza.com/api/v2.0/live_streams/$STREAM_ID/start" -H "Authorization: Bearer $WV_JWT" - Wait for the state and verify playback. A successful start operation can return a state such as
starting; it does not guarantee that playback is already live. Check the stream’s state and verify the Wowza-hosted player or other configured playback destination. - Stop when finished. Use the documented stop operation for the live stream and confirm the resulting state. The API reference also lists reset operations; use reset only when its documented behavior matches your recovery or reuse workflow.
The overview of the API is at Wowza Video REST API documentation; use the current v2.0 Live Streams reference and WebRTC quick start linked from Wowza’s developer documentation for endpoint fields and complete request bodies.
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Automate an RTMP encoder source
For an RTMP workflow, create a live stream or transcoder using a Wowza stream source. The source guide describes a setup in which Wowza detects the broadcast location, starts when the source begins transmitting, and stops after disconnection. The API returns connection details to enter in your encoder. This can reduce the need for a separate manual start action, but you should still inspect state and playback to confirm the complete path.
- Create the source-backed stream or transcoder. Follow the current source guide and endpoint reference for the resource you are configuring. Save the returned server or URL, port, application, stream name or key, and any relevant credentials.
- Configure the encoder. In OBS or another RTMP encoder, enter the server URL assembled from the returned server, port, and application as directed by the Wowza guide, then enter the returned stream name/key. Encoder field names vary; use the encoder’s documentation for its own interface.
- Begin transmitting from the encoder. Check that Wowza detects the source and that the stream reaches the expected state.
- Verify actual playback. The source guide recommends checking the live-stream state, retrieving the thumbnail URL and opening it in a browser, and checking detected broadcast location where applicable. An HTTP success response alone does not prove the source is producing viewable video.
- End the broadcast at the source. Stop transmission in the encoder when finished, then confirm the stream’s resulting state. The guide describes stopping after disconnection for this source workflow.
The Wowza source guide notes that Wowza stream sources do not allow source authentication. Verify that limitation in the currently applicable product documentation and account configuration before using the workflow, and account for it in your security design; do not assume a stream key provides source authentication beyond the documented behavior.
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Choose the right level of API control
| Approach | What it covers | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
/live_streams workflow |
Can wrap setup for a transcoder, renditions, stream targets, and an associated player. | Use when you want a higher-level live-stream resource and the bundled setup matches your use case. |
| Explicit transcoder workflow | Lets you configure the transcoder workflow more explicitly. | Use when your integration needs more direct control over transcoder configuration; consult the current v2.0 references for the exact resource sequence. |
These are different workflow scopes, not a universal ranking. Likewise, WebRTC and RTMP are source choices, while a Wowza-hosted player page and configured stream targets are delivery choices. Select each based on your source, playback, and integration requirements.
Common problems and fixes
- v2.0 endpoints are unavailable: Confirm that the account has migrated to the new Wowza Video UI and is eligible for v2.0. Check the current lifecycle and release notes before reverting to legacy examples.
- The API returns an authorization error: Check that the JWT is valid, included as
Authorization: Bearer …on every request, and associated with an account permitted to use the operation. Confirm that your token was stored correctly without exposing it in logs. - Stream creation fails with a validation error: Compare the body with the current v2.0 endpoint schema and required fields. A v1.x payload may not match v2.0.
- The start call succeeds but the player is not live: A response state of
startingis not final proof of playback. Check state again, confirm the source is connected and transmitting, and inspect the player or thumbnail. - An RTMP encoder cannot connect: Recheck the returned server/URL, port, application, and stream name/key against the encoder fields. Confirm the encoder is using the intended RTMP configuration and that the source details belong to the stream you created.
- A GET appears not to reflect a recent change: Some GET responses may be cached. Check the endpoint’s caching behavior before relying on an immediate read as a fresh state.
Or let it run in the cloud
The Wowza API is for provisioning and controlling Wowza Video workflows; it is not the same thing as keeping a pre-recorded YouTube channel live around the clock. If your goal is a 24/7 YouTube loop from uploaded videos, StreamNeo is a separate cloud service: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; it streams uploaded video at any quality up to 4K 60fps at one flat price per slot, with automatic recovery if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly: $9.99 per month. It is YouTube-only and plays uploaded videos rather than broadcasting from a camera. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
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