Creating a Stream
Learn how to create and configure a new 24/7 live stream on YouCast.
A stream in YouCast is a persistent live broadcast session that plays your video playlist in a loop on YouTube. Each stream maps to a YouTube Live event that remains active indefinitely until you stop it manually. This guide explains how to create, configure, and launch a new stream.
Prerequisites
- At least one video uploaded and transcoded in your YouCast Video Library
- An active YouCast subscription or active trial
Two Stream Creation Methods
YouCast supports two ways to create a stream. The method you choose determines which options are available during setup:
YouTube Channel (OAuth)
Connect your YouTube channel via Google OAuth in the Channels tab. YouCast creates the YouTube Live event automatically. Full options available: thumbnail, title, description, tags, privacy, category.
Stream Key
Copy a stream key from YouTube Studio and paste it into YouCast. Simpler setup, but limited to title and video playlist only — no thumbnail or metadata control.
Creating a Stream via YouTube Channel
Navigate to Streams
Click "Streams" in the left sidebar of your YouCast dashboard.
Click "New Stream"
The stream creation form opens.
Select "YouTube Channel" mode
Choose the connected YouTube channel you want to stream to.
Enter a stream title
This becomes the title of the YouTube Live event. Choose something descriptive and SEO-friendly (e.g., "Lo-Fi Music 24/7 — Relax & Study").
Upload a thumbnail
Add a custom thumbnail image for the YouTube Live event.
Add description, tags, privacy, and category
Fill in optional metadata for YouTube discoverability and SEO.
Build your playlist
Add videos from your library. Drag to reorder the playback sequence.
Enable auto-loop
Turn on the loop toggle to repeat the playlist continuously.
Save and start
Click "Create Stream" or "Create & Start" to immediately begin the broadcast.
Creating a Stream via Stream Key
Get your stream key from YouTube
In YouTube Studio → Live streaming → Stream settings, copy your persistent stream key.
Navigate to Streams and click "New Stream"
In the creation form, select "Stream Key" mode.
Paste the stream key
Enter the stream key copied from YouTube Studio.
Enter a stream title
A title for the stream (used within YouCast — the YouTube event title is managed from YouTube Studio).
Build your playlist and start
Add videos to the playlist, enable auto-loop, and start the stream.
Stream Quality Options
| Quality | Resolution | Frame Rate |
|---|---|---|
| HD | 720p / 1080p | Up to 60fps |
| 2K | 1440p | Up to 60fps |
| 4K | 2160p | Up to 60fps |
Available quality options depend on the stream slots included in your subscription. HD, 2K, and 4K slots are purchased separately via the subscription calculator.
Quality and your source video
YouCast streams at the quality you select, but the actual visual quality is limited by your source video. Streaming at 4K with a 1080p source video will not improve visual quality. For best results, upload videos at the same or higher resolution than your selected stream quality.
Playlist Order and Management
The playlist determines the order in which your videos are broadcast. You can add as many videos as you like to a stream playlist (subject to storage limits). Videos play in sequence from top to bottom, then loop back to the first video when auto-loop is enabled.
- Drag and drop videos to reorder the playlist
- Remove a video from the playlist without deleting it from your library
- Add the same video multiple times to control frequency
- Changes to the playlist take effect on the next loop iteration
Playlist editing while live
You can edit the playlist of a running stream. Changes will apply at the beginning of the next video playback cycle. The current video playing will not be interrupted.