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How to Show a Branded Holding Screen Between Videos on a 24/7 YouTube Stream

Keep one YouTube Live broadcast connected while switching between documentary videos and a branded holding screen. Here’s how to set up OBS and what to test for unattended playback.
Opened Runtime5 min Written byDocumentaryTube Team
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To show a branded holding screen between videos without ending your YouTube Live broadcast, keep the encoder connected and switch from your video scene to a separate holding-screen scene. In OBS, create both scenes, add a video or playlist to the program scene, and use an image or clip in the holding scene. You can switch manually; OBS playlist looping alone does not document an automatic switch to another scene at each video boundary.

How the holding screen fits into a continuous stream

YouTube receives a continuous encoder feed using a stream URL and stream key. To keep one broadcast live while the program changes, leave that feed running and change what OBS sends: the program scene shows the video, while the holding scene shows your branded interstitial. Stopping the encoder’s content ends the stream, so do not stop OBS when you mean only to show a break screen.

YouTube describes stream keys as “like your YouTube stream’s password and address.” Keep yours private and do not share it in screenshots or public notes. YouTube’s streaming guide explains its encoder workflow and stream archiving; consult Live Control Room for the current interface labels.

Set up the stream and scenes in OBS

1. Connect OBS to YouTube

  1. In YouTube Studio, open Live Control Room and create or schedule an encoder stream.
  2. Copy the stream URL and stream key shown for that broadcast.
  3. In OBS, open Settings and then Stream. Select YouTube as the service and enter the stream details using the available connection method. Treat the key like a password.

2. Build a program scene with your videos

  1. In the OBS Scenes panel, create a scene such as Program.
  2. Add the video playback source. For one local file, use a Media Source and enable its loop option if it should repeat.
  3. For a sequence of local files, add a VLC Video source and configure its playlist and loop setting. VLC must be installed for this source type.

OBS’s Media Sources documentation, dated January 11, 2022, documents single-file looping and playlist playback through VLC Video. Those playback settings do not establish that OBS will automatically switch to a separate scene between playlist items.

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3. Build a branded holding scene

  1. Create a second scene, for example Holding screen.
  2. Add an Image Source for a static slate, or a Media Source for an animated holding clip.
  3. Add Text sources for a concise message, such as “Next documentary starts soon,” plus a schedule or channel branding if useful.
  4. Check the OBS preview at the stream’s aspect ratio. Keep important text within safe margins, make it legible at mobile size, and confirm that the scene has the audio behavior you intend.

4. Go live and switch without disconnecting

  1. Start streaming from OBS and confirm the preview in YouTube Live Control Room before making the broadcast public.
  2. When you want an interstitial, select Holding screen in OBS. The encoder remains connected while the scene changes.
  3. When the next video is ready, select Program again.

This manual workflow is the documented straightforward option. If you need scene changes without an operator, test a dedicated scene-automation setup that detects item endings, switches scenes reliably, and recovers after restart. The OBS playlist guidance does not establish those automation behaviors.

Use YouTube’s away slate for an operator break

YouTube also documents a temporary away slate controlled through Live Control Room. It is intended for a break during an existing stream, not as a documented playlist scheduler. Follow YouTube’s current Live Control Room steps to add the overlay URL as an OBS Browser Source, then test its appearance and sound before relying on it.

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The overlay does not affect other audio sources. If you use audio from a video slate, YouTube says that audio may need to be included in the stream’s audio settings. Verify the result in a test or private broadcast so a break does not leave unexpected program audio playing.

Choose the right approach for unattended gaps

Approach Best fit What to check
OBS program and holding scenes Local operation with someone available to switch scenes Operator availability, artwork or clip, audio, and stable computer and internet connection
OBS playlist plus scene automation Repeated videos with hands-off interstitials Whether the automation detects each item end, switches as intended, and recovers after restart; playlist looping by itself does not establish this
YouTube away slate A temporary operator break during an existing live stream Break control, overlay appearance, and audio behavior; it is not documented as a playlist scheduler
Hosted continuous playout Unattended streaming without a local encoder computer Current YouTube support, scheduling and interstitial controls, reliability terms, and pricing

YouTube’s encoder guide lists Upstream as supporting continuous 24/7 streaming. That listing is not an endorsement or assurance of service quality; check the provider’s current capabilities and terms directly before choosing hosted playout.

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Keep the channel and stream safe

  • Protect the key: anyone with access to it may be able to send content to your broadcast. Do not publish it or include it in a visible scene.
  • Use content you have rights to stream: a holding screen does not make copyrighted documentary footage, music, or other material safe to rebroadcast. Review YouTube’s current copyright rules and permissions for every program item.
  • Check the full viewer experience: preview the video-to-slate transition, text readability, and audio before public transmission.
  • Plan for an operator: a manual scene workflow depends on someone being present to switch scenes. If unattended operation is essential, verify the automation or hosted service before relying on it.

Stop the broadcast and understand archiving

When you intend to end the broadcast, stop the encoder feed and use the end-stream controls in YouTube Live Control Room. YouTube says streams shorter than 12 hours are automatically archived. This is an archiving threshold, not a promise that a longer stream will be saved as a VOD; check YouTube’s current guidance if the archive matters.

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