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You can schedule a YouTube Live broadcast in YouTube Studio, then use OBS to send the feed and play a multi-item playlist. OBS hotkeys let you manually move between playlist items or scenes; the documented built-in workflow does not schedule individual playlist blocks to change automatically at set times.

What YouTube schedules—and what OBS controls

YouTube Studio schedules the live broadcast and its future watch page. OBS acts as the encoder: it sends video and audio to YouTube using the stream URL and stream key. Inside OBS, a VLC Video source plays a playlist of local media. Hotkeys are operator controls for actions such as changing scenes or moving through that playlist, not a clock-based playlist scheduler.

YouTube says scheduling can promote a stream and let viewers find the upcoming event and set a reminder. That is separate from deciding which video plays at a particular time.

Before you schedule

  • Check channel eligibility. YouTube says a channel must be verified and have no live-streaming restrictions in the previous 90 days; streamers must be at least 16. Confirm eligibility in Live Control Room before depending on a scheduled date, since account eligibility can change.
  • Install OBS and VLC. OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC to be installed. Match the architectures: use 64-bit VLC with 64-bit OBS.
  • Prepare permitted media. Use video and audio you have rights to broadcast and that comply with YouTube’s live-streaming policies. Scheduling or looping a file does not grant permission to use copyrighted material.
  • Decide the playback order. Make a list of the files for each block and decide whether the queue should repeat or shuffle. A shuffled queue is not a reliable way to guarantee a specific sequence.

Schedule the broadcast in YouTube Studio

  1. Open YouTube Studio, select Create → Go Live, and open Manage.
  2. Select Schedule Stream. Create a broadcast or reuse settings from an existing stream, then enter the event details and scheduled start time.
  3. Open the scheduled event in Live Control Room. Copy its stream URL and stream key from the stream settings.
  4. Keep the stream key private. It tells the encoder where to send the feed and allows YouTube to accept it; anyone with access to the key could send a feed to that broadcast.

Use the scheduled event’s stream details when connecting OBS, and confirm that the event shown in Live Control Room is the one you intend to start.

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Connect OBS and build the playlist

  1. In OBS, open Settings → Stream. Choose YouTube as the service if available, then enter or select the server and stream key copied from YouTube. If the interface asks for a stream URL and key separately, use the matching values from YouTube’s stream settings.
  2. Return to the main OBS window and select the scene that should carry the broadcast.
  3. In Sources, select + and add VLC Video. If VLC Video is unavailable, install VLC matching OBS’s architecture and reopen OBS.
  4. In the VLC Video source properties, add the media files in the intended order. Set playlist looping if the sequence should repeat, and leave shuffle off for a predictable order. OBS documents loop as on by default and shuffle as off by default for this source; check the actual properties on your installed version.
  5. Arrange and size the source in the preview, and configure any other scene elements, such as overlays, before rehearsal.

VLC Video or Media Source?

OBS source Best fit Playback behavior
VLC Video A multi-item local playlist Supports playlist loop and shuffle; requires VLC installed.
Media Source One local audio or video file Has a per-file loop option; add individual files rather than using it as the documented multi-item playlist source.

Choose VLC Video when you need an ordered queue of several files. Choose Media Source when a scene needs one file and its individual loop control is sufficient. OBS lists support for common video and audio formats in its media-source documentation; verify that your files play correctly in your installed setup.

Assign and test OBS hotkeys

  1. Open Settings → Hotkeys in OBS.
  2. Find the actions for the relevant scene or source. OBS offers hotkeys for actions including starting or stopping a stream, showing or hiding sources, and switching scenes. The VLC source registers playlist Next and Previous hotkey actions.
  3. Click the shortcut field for each action and press a key combination that is not already in use or likely to be pressed accidentally. Hotkeys are configurable; do not assume a universal default key.
  4. Save the settings, then rehearse the sequence. Confirm that next and previous affect the intended VLC playlist, scene shortcuts show the intended scene, and stream controls do not conflict with other shortcuts.

Test with an unlisted or private rehearsal broadcast before relying on the setup for a public event. Check that both picture and audio reach YouTube and that each playlist item advances as expected.

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Can OBS switch playlist blocks automatically at set times?

The built-in workflow described here does not establish a native OBS feature for changing playlist blocks at predetermined clock times. YouTube’s scheduled broadcast sets when the live event is available; OBS hotkeys let an operator manually advance or switch scenes. If a timed, unattended change is essential, investigate a current OBS plugin, script, or external automation separately, and test it with your installed OBS and VLC versions. Do not treat a scheduled YouTube event as a timed playlist schedule.

Start and monitor the scheduled stream

  1. YouTube Help recommends setting up the encoder at least two hours before the event and starting it at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start. Use that lead time to troubleshoot rather than waiting until the event begins.
  2. Start streaming from OBS and check the Live Control Room preview. Confirm that the correct scheduled event receives the feed and that video and audio are present.
  3. Verify the stream is accessible as intended, then use your assigned hotkeys for manual playlist or scene changes during the broadcast.
  4. When the event is over, stop the encoder from OBS and confirm the live broadcast has ended in YouTube Studio.

Troubleshooting

  • VLC Video is missing in Sources: VLC may not be installed or may not match OBS’s architecture. Install the corresponding VLC version, then restart OBS.
  • OBS is connected to the wrong event: Recheck the stream key and URL against the scheduled broadcast in Live Control Room. Keep keys private and replace or reset a key if it has been exposed.
  • The broadcast is not receiving a signal: Confirm OBS is streaming, the selected server and key match the scheduled event, and the encoder feed appears in Live Control Room. Allow setup time before the event.
  • Playlist order is unexpected: Check the file order in VLC Video properties and turn shuffle off if you need a fixed sequence. Confirm loop behavior against the playlist plan.
  • A hotkey does nothing or triggers the wrong action: Reopen Settings → Hotkeys, verify the assignment for the intended source or scene, resolve conflicts, and rehearse again. Assignments are configurable and may differ between installations.
  • A file will not play as expected: Confirm the file is present and playable on the streaming computer, then test the source before going live. The documented source behavior is not a guarantee that every codec or file will work in every installation.
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