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To show a branded holding screen between videos without ending your YouTube Live broadcast, keep OBS connected and switch from your video scene to a separate holding-screen scene. OBS can loop a video or play a playlist, but playlist looping alone does not automatically switch to another scene at each video boundary; for unattended transitions, use a tested scene-automation setup or hosted playout.
How the setup works
YouTube receives a continuous feed from OBS, using the stream URL and stream key configured in the encoder. Keep OBS running and switch what it sends while the broadcast remains live. Stopping the encoder’s feed ends the stream; YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived. YouTube’s encoder streaming guide explains the live workflow.
Treat the stream key as confidential. YouTube describes stream keys as “like your YouTube stream’s password and address.” YouTube’s stream key guidance covers managing them.
Build the video and holding-screen scenes in OBS
1. Connect OBS to the YouTube stream
- In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create or schedule an encoder stream.
- Copy the stream URL and stream key from YouTube into OBS’s streaming settings. Keep the key private.
OBS interface labels may vary by version. Confirm the stream is connected in Live Control Room before making it public.
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2. Create a Program scene
In OBS, create a scene named, for example, “Program.” Add the video source you want to play. For one local file, OBS’s Media Source has a loop setting. For a playlist of local files, add a VLC Video source and configure its playlist and loop option; VLC must be installed for this source type. OBS documents these controls in its Media Sources guide, dated January 11, 2022.
Playlist playback controls the videos, not transitions to a separate holding scene. Do not assume that enabling Loop will display an interstitial between playlist items.
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3. Create a Holding screen scene
Create a second scene, such as “Holding screen.” Add your brand artwork as an Image Source, or add an animated holding clip as a Media Source. You can add a text source with a brief message such as “Next video starts soon” or a schedule.
- Check that artwork fills the frame without cropping important text or logos.
- Keep text within safe margins and large enough to read on a phone.
- Preview the scene and check its audio. A static image does not provide audio; an animated clip may have its own audio.
4. Go live and switch scenes
- Start streaming from OBS and confirm the preview in YouTube Live Control Room.
- When a video ends, select “Holding screen” in OBS. The encoder stays connected while the scene changes.
- When you are ready to resume, select “Program.” Check the preview and audio after each switch.
This manual workflow requires an operator to make the change. If you need transitions to happen unattended, choose and test a scene-automation tool that detects when an item ends and switches scenes. The cited OBS playlist documentation does not establish that behavior or guarantee recovery after a restart.
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Use YouTube’s away slate for a temporary break
YouTube documents a temporary away slate controlled through Live Control Room. It is an option for an operator break, not a documented playlist scheduler for inserting a holding screen between videos. Follow YouTube’s away-slate instructions to set up the overlay URL as an OBS Browser Source, then test its appearance and audio before relying on it. The overlay does not affect other audio sources, and video-slate audio may need to be included in the stream’s audio settings.
Choose a method for unattended or manual operation
| Approach | Best fit | Check before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Program and Holding screen scenes | Local operation with a person switching scenes | Operator availability, artwork, audio, and a stable computer and internet connection |
| OBS playlist plus scene automation | Repeated videos with hands-off interstitials | Whether automation detects item ends, switches reliably, and recovers after restart; playlist documentation alone does not establish these behaviors |
| YouTube away slate | A temporary break during an existing live stream | Overlay appearance and audio behavior; it is not documented as a playlist scheduler |
| Hosted continuous playout | Unattended operation without a local encoder computer | Current YouTube support, scheduling and interstitial controls, reliability terms, and pricing |
YouTube’s encoder guide lists OBS and describes Upstream as supporting continuous 24/7 streams. That listing is not an endorsement or a guarantee of service quality; verify any provider’s current capabilities and terms directly.
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Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo keeps a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos, so you do not need a computer or home connection to stay on. Upload your recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. It is for uploaded-video playout, not live camera input; the branded holding-screen workflow described above uses your OBS scenes.
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Finish or troubleshoot the broadcast
Ending the stream
When you intend to end the broadcast, stop the encoder feed using YouTube Live Control Room’s stream-ending workflow. Switching to a holding scene is different: it keeps the feed going. YouTube says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived.
Common problems and fixes
- The holding screen never appears between playlist items: playlist looping does not itself switch scenes. Switch scenes manually or set up and test automation that explicitly detects item ends.
- The VLC Video source is unavailable: install VLC, then add or configure the VLC Video source in OBS.
- The slate appears but audio continues: YouTube says its away-slate overlay does not affect other audio sources. Mute or configure those sources as needed, and check the video-slate audio settings.
- The broadcast ends when you switch content: keep OBS connected and change scenes rather than stopping the encoder feed.
- The stream will not connect: verify the stream URL and key in OBS against the current YouTube Live Control Room stream. Treat the key as a password; replace it through YouTube if it is exposed.
Check rights and YouTube rules before looping videos
Only stream videos and audio you have the rights or permissions to use. A 24/7 schedule or a holding screen does not grant permission to rebroadcast copyrighted material. Review YouTube’s current copyright guidance and applicable monetization and reused-content rules before building a channel around repeated or third-party videos. YouTube policies and eligibility requirements can change, so check the current official terms for your channel and region.
Quick Recap
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