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To run a playlist as a 24/7 YouTube radio stream, an encoder must play the media and send a live feed to YouTube. YouTube playlists do not broadcast themselves. You can use OBS Studio with its VLC Video source on a computer that stays on, or use StreamNeo to play uploaded videos from the cloud. Before starting, enable live streaming on your channel; YouTube says first-time activation may take up to 24 hours.
Choose how to keep the stream running
| Approach | What it does | What must remain available |
|---|---|---|
| StreamNeo | Runs an uploaded-video playlist from the cloud and sends it to YouTube; it is the first option to consider if you want an always-on stream without leaving a home computer running. | A StreamNeo slot and your YouTube stream key. |
| OBS Studio + VLC | Plays local media files in a repeating playlist and encodes the feed for YouTube. | Your computer, power, internet connection, OBS, VLC, and the media files. |
The local method gives you direct control of files and playlist order, but it depends on your computer and upload connection staying up. Cloud playout removes local playout from that chain but makes you dependent on a service; check its playlist controls, supported media, recovery, monitoring, archive options, terms, and pricing before choosing.
Set up the local OBS playlist
1. Enable YouTube live streaming
In YouTube Studio, enable live streaming for the channel if you have not used it before. First-time activation may take up to 24 hours, so do this before the day you plan to launch.
2. Install OBS Studio and VLC
Install OBS Studio and VLC. OBS’s VLC Video source requires VLC to be installed, and its architecture must match OBS: for 64-bit OBS, install 64-bit VLC. The source’s playlist controls are documented by the OBS Project media sources guide.
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3. Build the playlist source
- In OBS, create a scene for the radio stream.
- In the Sources panel, add a VLC Video source.
- Add the media files in the order you want them played.
- Enable Loop Playlist to restart the source after the last file. Leave Shuffle off if you want a fixed sequence; shuffle is a separate setting.
- Check the preview and audio meters. Confirm the files play in the expected order and that audio is present.
Loop Playlist repeats the media source; it does not keep OBS, the computer, or the internet connection running.
4. Test before going live
Run a short private or unlisted test and check both picture and sound. The OBS Quick Start guide recommends testing before a first broadcast; no particular test result or performance level is guaranteed here.
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5. Connect OBS to YouTube
- In YouTube Studio, select Create > Go Live, then create a stream or schedule one. Choose the visibility you need: public, private, or unlisted.
- Copy the YouTube stream URL and stream key into OBS’s stream settings. Treat the key like a password: do not publish it or share it with people who should not control the broadcast. Existing YouTube stream settings may retain a previously used key, so verify the account and stream you intend to use.
- Start streaming in OBS. In Live Control Room, check that YouTube receives the preview. For a scheduled workflow, complete the Go Live step if YouTube presents it.
- Open the watch page from a separate device or browser session and confirm that the stream is playing and audible.
YouTube’s encoder instructions describe connecting software or hardware by entering the server URL and stream key. Follow the labels and prompts shown in your current YouTube Studio account, since the flow can differ between starting immediately and using a scheduled stream. See YouTube’s encoder streaming setup guide.
Keep a local broadcast available around the clock
A looping source is only one part of a 24/7 stream. The whole playback-and-encoder chain must keep working. Plan how you will notice and recover from power, computer, network, OBS, VLC, or media-file failures. A correctly sized uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can help a local computer through short power interruptions, but it does not keep the internet or YouTube online.
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- Confirm the playlist files are available to the account running OBS and remain at the locations used by the source.
- Check the stream periodically from a separate device, including audio, rather than assuming that an active OBS window means viewers can hear it.
- Decide who will restart OBS or the computer if the source or encoder stops, and how they will know it happened.
- If uninterrupted home power and connectivity are not practical, consider cloud playout instead of relying on a local machine.
Understand archives, rights, and HLS
Will YouTube save a 24-hour stream?
Do not assume that one broadcast running longer than 12 hours will produce a complete replay. YouTube says, “All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived,” which does not promise an archive for a longer 24-hour broadcast. If an automatic replay matters, plan shorter broadcast sessions and check YouTube’s current settings and guidance. Viewer rewind or DVR availability is not the same as a retained or downloadable archive. The archive caveat appears in YouTube’s encoder setup documentation.
Use media you have permission to stream
Use recordings and music that you own or have explicit rights to stream and archive in the relevant territories. Attribution by itself does not establish permission. Technical ability to loop a file does not establish that you may rebroadcast it.
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HLS is not needed to loop this playlist
YouTube supports HLS ingestion for encoders that specifically use that protocol, but it is separate from OBS’s VLC playlist loop. YouTube’s HLS guidance specifies HTTPS URLs, TS segments of 1–4 seconds, and a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments; it also notes higher latency than RTMP. Most playlist setups should use the encoder’s ordinary YouTube connection unless the selected encoder or workflow specifically requires HLS. Details are in YouTube’s HLS ingestion guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a cloud service for keeping a YouTube channel live from uploaded videos: upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home. Your uploaded quality streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; there are no quality tiers or re-encoding. StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. Each slot includes one always-on stream, 10 GB of storage per slot pooled across active slots, playlists and 24/7 looping, and StreamNeo team support. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. UPI and cards are available in India; card checkout is available worldwide.
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