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Pre-recorded videos can play on a Twitch channel, but Twitch does not consider them live. Its official guidance says, “Reruns are non-live content that you can play on your channel.” To replay a past broadcast, stream its VOD through an encoder and clearly label it as a Rerun so viewers know they are watching recorded content.
How to replay a video on Twitch as a Rerun
Twitch describes Reruns as a way to play recorded content on your channel. The documented workflow uses a VOD and an encoder; the Rerun label tells viewers that the content is not a live broadcast.
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- Enable VOD storage for future broadcasts. In Twitch’s stream settings, enable Past Broadcast storage if you want Twitch to save your live streams as VODs. Twitch defines a Past Broadcast as a recording of a past live stream. See Twitch’s VOD guidance.
- Send the VOD through an encoder. Twitch says to capture and stream the VOD using an encoder of your choice.
- Mark it as a Rerun. In the Edit Stream Info panel, select the “Rerun” checkbox. Twitch says this adds a Rerun tag.
- Disclose it in the title and notification. Start both the stream title and go-live notification with “[Rerun]”. Twitch recommends this labeling because viewers may otherwise expect to interact with a live streamer. See Twitch’s Reruns instructions.
A VOD is a saved recording; a Rerun is the replay of recorded content on the channel. The distinction matters: saving a past broadcast does not, by itself, make it a live stream or automatically present it as a Rerun.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsHow long Twitch keeps Past Broadcasts
Twitch’s VOD help guidance, accessed in 2026, lists these retention periods for Past Broadcasts:
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| Account category | Past Broadcast retention listed by Twitch |
|---|---|
| Partners, Prime users, and Twitch Turbo users | 60 days |
| Affiliates | 14 days |
These are Twitch-reported retention periods, not a guarantee that every recording will remain available indefinitely. If you plan to replay a VOD, check the current Twitch settings and help guidance rather than assuming an old broadcast is still stored.
Reruns are not the same as simulcasting
A Rerun is recorded content played on Twitch and identified as non-live. Simulcasting means broadcasting the same live stream to more than one platform at once. Twitch’s simulcasting guidelines apply unless a creator has an agreement that requires exclusivity. They also prohibit using Twitch to steer viewers to a concurrent live stream on another platform. Links that show where else a creator is present are allowed, but actively urging Twitch viewers to leave for the other live stream is not. That separate simulcasting rule does not turn a Twitch Rerun into live content.
Rank #2
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Check copyright before replaying a video
Replaying a file does not remove the creator’s responsibility to have the rights or permission needed for its video and audio. Twitch says it may detect copyrighted audio and mute parts of VODs or Clips, but warns that detection is not foolproof and does not replace permission. Clear the rights to the material before streaming or recording it. See Twitch’s copyright and music guidance.
Choose a platform format for the viewing experience
| What you want viewers to experience | Platform format | What the official guidance supports |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded content played on a Twitch channel | Twitch Rerun | Stream a VOD through an encoder and mark it as a Rerun, with disclosure in the title and go-live notification. Twitch classifies it as non-live. Twitch Reruns instructions |
| A scheduled shared viewing with chat | YouTube Premiere | Upload a video and make it an instant Premiere or schedule it. Viewers can use live chat, comment, and set reminders; after the Premiere, the video remains as a regular upload. See YouTube Premiere guidance. |
| A video published at a chosen time, without a Premiere event | Scheduled YouTube upload | YouTube lets creators schedule an uploaded video to become public at a selected time. See YouTube’s scheduling instructions. |
These formats describe how the video is presented and whether a shared chat event is part of the plan. The platform guidance does not establish which option will bring more viewers or earn more.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #3
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