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To put a logo and ticker over a pre-recorded video in a YouTube live stream, combine them in an encoder such as OBS Studio before sending the stream to YouTube. Add the video as a Media Source, the logo as an Image Source, and the ticker as a Text Source or Browser Source; layer both overlays above the video, then connect OBS to YouTube with the stream URL and stream key from YouTube Studio.
What you need before you start
- OBS Studio installed on a computer that can stay on and connected for the duration of the broadcast.
- A video file to play. OBS Media Source supports formats including MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, and WebM.
- A logo image. A transparent PNG is useful when you want the video visible around the logo; OBS also supports image formats such as JPG and GIF.
- Ticker text. Keep it short enough to read at the stream’s output size. For a scrolling ticker, prepare a browser-based graphic or another animated graphic treatment; OBS’s Text Source can show text, but its documentation does not describe a built-in scrolling-ticker recipe.
- YouTube Live access and the stream URL and stream key for the stream you plan to use.
The logo and ticker need to be part of the outgoing video composition. YouTube’s encoder setup connects OBS to a live stream; it does not provide the overlay-composition steps described here. See YouTube’s encoder setup guide and the OBS Sources Guide.
Add the video, logo, and ticker in OBS
- Create or select a scene. In OBS, use the Scenes panel to select an existing scene or create one for this broadcast.
- Add the prerecorded video. In Sources, select the add button and choose Media Source. Create a new source, browse to the video file, and confirm. Enable Loop only if you want playback to repeat. Play the source and check that both video and audio work.
- Add the logo. In Sources, add an Image Source and choose the logo file. Drag its handles in the preview to size it, then place it where it will not cover important content.
- Add the ticker. For a fixed line, add a Text Source, enter the text, or use its option to read text from a file. For a custom or scrolling ticker, add a Browser Source that displays a local page or URL containing the ticker graphic. The scrolling behavior comes from the page or graphic design, not from a documented built-in OBS Text Source ticker feature.
- Set the layer order. In the Sources list, move the logo and ticker above the Media Source. Sources higher in the list appear over those below them. Adjust position and size in the preview, then inspect the composition at the intended output dimensions.
- Review readability and coverage. Make sure the ticker can be read at the final viewing size and that neither overlay hides faces, captions, or other important parts of the video. Check the full frame, not just a close-up preview.
OBS documents media, image, text, and browser sources in its Sources Guide, with additional details in its Media Sources, Image Sources, and Text Sources documentation.
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Connect OBS to YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio. Go to Live Control Room and create or select the stream you want to use. Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for that stream.
- Enter the connection details in OBS. Open OBS streaming settings. Choose YouTube if it is available, or enter YouTube’s server URL and the matching stream key manually. Treat the key like a password: do not publish or share it.
- Start encoder output. Start streaming in OBS and wait for the incoming signal to appear in YouTube Live Control Room. Confirm the preview, audio, and overlays before starting the broadcast according to the stream setup you selected.
- Run a short check ahead of airtime. OBS recommends testing settings for a few minutes. Use a test, private, or unlisted workflow appropriate to your channel, and verify video playback, sound, logo placement, and ticker content.
For the current YouTube workflow, refer to Create a YouTube live stream with an encoder. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived; do not assume the same archive behavior for streams longer than 12 hours. See YouTube’s live stream archive guidance.
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Choose between OBS and a cloud workflow
| Route | What it does | Best fit and trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio plus YouTube encoder | Combines media, image, text, or browser sources in a local scene, then sends the composed stream to YouTube using its stream URL and key. | Best for hands-on control of the composition. Your computer and internet connection need to remain available while the stream runs; a scrolling ticker may require a browser overlay or other graphic design. |
| OneStream Live | Its documented prerecorded-stream workflow lets you select a video, add and position an image overlay, choose destinations, enter stream details, and schedule the broadcast. | May suit a scheduled cloud or mobile workflow when a logo is the overlay you need. The cited instructions do not document ticker support, so check current product documentation before relying on it for a ticker. |
OneStream’s instructions cover an image overlay and scheduling, not a documented ticker feature: How to Add an Overlay/Logo to Pre-recorded Streams? The instructions were last updated September 2, 2026. Confirm available features and terms directly with the service before choosing it.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is a 24/7 YouTube stream made from uploaded videos, StreamNeo runs the loop in the cloud: upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It plays uploaded videos rather than going live from a camera. StreamNeo does not document logo or ticker composition in the product facts available here, so prepare the finished overlayed video before uploading if you need those graphics.
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Copyright and YouTube channel considerations
Adding a logo or ticker does not grant rights to the video, music, or images in the underlying recording. Before streaming, make sure you have the necessary rights for all material in the video and overlays, and review YouTube’s current live-stream and channel rules. Repackaging material you do not own with a logo or ticker does not itself establish permission to use it.
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