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To relay an existing radio station feed to YouTube from a VPS, run FFmpeg on the server, connect it to the station’s audio stream, add a video track such as a station image, and publish the result to the RTMPS URL and stream key shown in YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room. The exact FFmpeg input options depend on the station feed, so test the actual source and output before going public. First confirm the channel is eligible to stream and that the station has the rights needed for a YouTube simulcast.
What you need before you start
- A VPS that can run FFmpeg and sustain the intended outbound traffic. Check your hosting provider’s terms and plan limits; no particular VPS size or provider plan is established here.
- The station’s audio-stream URL and any credentials needed to access it. Find out whether it is a direct audio stream or a playlist/manifest, and which formats it serves.
- A visual track for YouTube, such as a station image. A radio feed is audio; FFmpeg needs to produce an audio/video output for the setup described here.
- A verified YouTube channel with no live-streaming restrictions in the preceding 90 days. YouTube’s eligibility guidance also says a streamer must be at least 16.
- Permission for the YouTube broadcast. Do not assume a terrestrial or web-radio license also covers a YouTube live simulcast.
YouTube’s live terms make the content provider responsible for having the necessary rights for the live content, including music licensing rights and other applicable approvals. Check the station’s agreements for the platforms and territories involved. YouTube scans live streams for third-party content; even licensed material may be interrupted unless the relevant rights owner has allowlisted the channel through Content ID.
Get the YouTube RTMPS address and stream key
- Open YouTube Studio and go to the Live Control Room. Create or configure the live event you intend to use.
- Copy the RTMPS URL and stream key displayed for that channel or event. Use the values shown there rather than assuming a generic endpoint; the endpoint can include a specific path and port.
- Store the complete publishing address and key in protected server-side configuration. Treat the key like a password: do not put it in a public script, screenshot, or log excerpt.
YouTube describes RTMPS as a secure extension of RTMP. If a key is exposed or rejected, reset it in YouTube Studio and update the server configuration; the old key will no longer be the one to use.
Prepare FFmpeg and the station feed
Install and verify FFmpeg
Install FFmpeg using the package method supported by your VPS operating system, then check that the executable is available with ffmpeg -version. FFmpeg supports the RTMP protocol family, including RTMPS. Make sure the server can reach both the station source and the RTMPS endpoint over the network.
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Identify the source format
Check the station’s streaming documentation or inspect the feed from the VPS. A direct MP3 or AAC stream, a playlist, and an HLS manifest may each require different input handling. Some streams also require authentication or request headers. A URL that plays in a browser is not necessarily a direct media URL that FFmpeg can consume without additional options.
Use FFmpeg’s input options for the source before its -i input declaration. If the station stream is already a playlist or manifest, use the actual media URL and any required headers or credentials securely. Do not assume that one command works for every station feed.
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Choose the video and audio output
For a simple radio presentation, use a still station image or a visualizer as the video track. A static image is the simpler presentation; an animation is another option. Neither choice removes the need to meet YouTube’s encoder requirements.
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YouTube’s current encoder guide lists H.264, H.265, and AV1 video options; AAC or MP3 audio; constant bitrate; and a recommended two-second keyframe interval, with four seconds as the maximum. Choose codecs and bitrates from the current guide for your selected resolution and frame rate, and confirm that the VPS has enough outbound bandwidth. These are YouTube configuration recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular source or VPS will work.
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An audio source may need transcoding or remuxing to match the output. Whether you can pass audio through or must convert it depends on its codec, container, stream behavior, and the output you choose. The following is an adaptable command pattern, not a universally tested command:
export RADIO_URL='https://your-station.example/audio-stream'
export YOUTUBE_PUBLISH_URL='paste-the-complete-RTMPS-publishing-address-and-key-here'
export VIDEO_BITRATE='choose-from-YouTube-encoder-guide'
export VIDEO_BUFFER='set-for-your-chosen-video-bitrate'
export AUDIO_BITRATE='choose-from-YouTube-encoder-guide'
ffmpeg -loop 1 -framerate 30 -i /path/to/station-image.png
-i "$RADIO_URL"
-map 0:v:0 -map 1:a:0
-c:v libx264 -pix_fmt yuv420p -r 30 -g 60 -keyint_min 60
-sc_threshold 0 -b:v "$VIDEO_BITRATE" -minrate "$VIDEO_BITRATE"
-maxrate "$VIDEO_BITRATE" -bufsize "$VIDEO_BUFFER"
-c:a aac -b:a "$AUDIO_BITRATE"
-f flv "$YOUTUBE_PUBLISH_URL"This pattern assumes the station image is a local PNG and the audio URL is a usable direct input. It creates a 30 fps H.264 video track with a two-second keyframe interval and transcodes audio to AAC. Set the bitrate and buffer values using YouTube’s current encoder guidance for the chosen output; do not copy the placeholder strings as settings. For a different input type, authentication requirement, codec, or visual source, adjust the input options and mappings accordingly. Keep the actual publishing address and key out of shared shell history, public files, and logs.
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Test the stream before broadcasting publicly
- Start with a private or unlisted test event in the Live Control Room.
- Run FFmpeg on the VPS and confirm the process remains active without repeated input, encoding, or connection errors.
- In Live Control Room, verify that YouTube receives both audio and video and inspect its stream-health messages.
- Listen to the stream for continuity and check that the image or visualizer appears as intended. Test with audio and motion similar to the planned broadcast.
- Only schedule or switch to the intended public broadcast after the end-to-end test is healthy.
A successful FFmpeg process on the VPS alone does not prove that YouTube is receiving a usable program. Use the platform’s stream-health feedback as part of the test.
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A command started in a terminal is useful for testing, but a VPS relay intended to run continuously needs process supervision and monitoring. Arrange for the encoder process to be noticed and restarted if it exits, and alert someone if the station source or network stops delivering audio. The appropriate supervisor, restart policy, and monitoring setup depend on the VPS environment; YouTube’s encoder guidance does not prescribe one.
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Also confirm with the host that sustained outbound streaming is permitted and fits the VPS plan’s bandwidth and usage terms. The workflow’s actual resource needs depend on the selected video output, audio source, and server configuration.
Troubleshoot common failures
| Symptom | What to check | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg cannot connect to YouTube | The copied RTMPS URL, path, port, TLS connection, and key. | Copy the current values again from Live Control Room and confirm the VPS can reach the specified endpoint and port. |
| YouTube connects but receives no usable program | FFmpeg logs, station-source availability, input format, stream mapping, and codecs. | Test the source from the VPS, correct the input options or audio/video mapping, then verify the actual feed in Live Control Room. |
| The stream starts and is then interrupted | Live Control Room warnings, copyright notices, or strikes. | Review the notice and resolve the rights issue with the relevant rights owner. Licensed third-party material can still require the channel to be allowlisted. |
| The key is rejected or may have been exposed | Whether the key was reset, copied incorrectly, or disclosed in a script, log, or screenshot. | Reset it in YouTube Studio, update protected server configuration, and avoid publishing the replacement key. |
| Audio drops or stops while FFmpeg remains active | Whether the station feed is still reachable and whether its playlist, manifest, or authentication behavior changed. | Check source availability and FFmpeg input errors. Add monitoring for source failure rather than treating a running process as proof that audio is reaching viewers. |
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StreamNeo is for looping uploaded videos on YouTube, not for ingesting and relaying a live radio station audio feed. If your station’s use case is prerecorded programs or other uploaded video rather than a live feed, the setup is three steps: upload the recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; each slot streams uploads as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot, and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. The Monthly price is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or its plans, then start the free day.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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