Use FFmpeg on your server to concatenate the MP4 files in the order you choose, then send that continuous feed to YouTube Live using the server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio. The playlist controls the order of the videos in the feed; YouTube’s event controls determine when a scheduled broadcast is shown to viewers.
What you need before starting
- A server that can read all the MP4 files and run FFmpeg.
- MP4 files whose stream characteristics are compatible for concatenation. A practical FFmpeg playlist guide recommends matching resolution, frame rate, video codec, and audio codec; this is compatibility advice, not a formal YouTube rule. See the concat-demuxer guide.
- A YouTube Live stream configuration, including its server URL and private stream key. YouTube’s setup instructions are in YouTube Help.
- A stable server connection with enough upload capacity for the outgoing stream.
Build an ordered playlist of MP4 files
Create a plain-text playlist file with one file entry per video, in the exact order you want viewers to see them. For example, save this as playlist.txt:
file '/srv/video/part-01.mp4'
file '/srv/video/part-02.mp4'
file '/srv/video/part-03.mp4'Use paths that are valid from the server and account running FFmpeg. Keep the files accessible for the full broadcast. If a filename contains an apostrophe or other unusual character, check the installed FFmpeg version’s concat-demuxer documentation for the correct quoting and escaping syntax; the example above assumes simple paths.
Configure YouTube Live
- Open YouTube Studio and go to Create → Go live.
- Create a stream or select the stream configuration you intend to use. Copy the ingest server URL and stream key shown in the Live Control Room.
- Keep the stream key secret. Do not paste it into public examples, shared scripts, or logs. If it is exposed, replace or reset it in YouTube Studio before using it again.
- Decide whether to start an immediate broadcast or prepare a scheduled event. The encoder sends media to a stream configuration; an event is the viewer-facing scheduled or live broadcast.
Send the playlist from the server
FFmpeg’s concat demuxer is a practical way to present the listed files as one ordered input. The command below is a template, not a tested command for every build or file set. Verify options against the documentation for your installed FFmpeg version and use the RTMP-family ingest URL and key supplied by YouTube.
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ffmpeg -re -f concat -safe 0 -i /srv/video/playlist.txt
-c:v libx264 -c:a aac -f flv
"rtmp://YOUTUBE_INGEST_SERVER/STREAM_KEY"Replace the URL with the actual server URL and stream key from YouTube Studio; never publish the real key. This template re-encodes video and audio to H.264 and AAC. If you want stream copying instead, that depends on the files’ codecs, timestamps, and compatibility with the ingest path; validate it with the deployed FFmpeg version and a short private or unlisted test before relying on it. Do not assume that files with an MP4 extension share compatible streams.
The -re option reads input at approximately its intended playback rate rather than sending the files as fast as the server can process them. The concat list determines file order. When FFmpeg reaches the end of the list, the feed ends unless you have deliberately configured a repeat workflow.
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Confirm the preview and start the event
- Start FFmpeg and return to YouTube Studio’s Live Control Room.
- Wait for YouTube to receive the feed and show a preview. Check the preview and stream-health indicators before starting the event.
- For a scheduled event, use YouTube’s event controls to click Go live after the preview appears. The encoder feed alone does not turn a scheduled event into a live event.
- Monitor transitions between files, audio continuity, and the Live Control Room while the broadcast runs.
- When finished, stop the encoder feed and end the event using the controls in YouTube Studio. For an operational test, try the entire sequence with a short playlist before scheduling a long broadcast.
Playlist order is not an event schedule
The concat playlist determines which media the encoder sends, and in what order. YouTube’s API treats ingest configurations as liveStream resources and viewer-facing events as liveBroadcast resources. You can use one stream configuration with multiple broadcasts in a recurring-event setup, but only one event can be live at a time. A playlist of MP4s is therefore one continuous media sequence, not a calendar of separate YouTube events. See the YouTube Live Streaming API documentation.
Choose a single continuous broadcast when the videos should play on one watch page as one show. Use separate scheduled events when each program needs its own event page, start time, or independent start and end controls.
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Choose an ingest protocol
For a basic FFmpeg playlist, RTMP-family ingest is the straightforward path shown in the practical concat guide. YouTube also documents RTMPS, which carries RTMP over an SSL connection. HLS is another ingest option, but YouTube notes that it has higher latency because it sends segments rather than a continuous RTMP feed, and it requires a rolling playlist with no more than five outstanding segments. HLS may suit use cases such as HDR or codecs not supported by RTMP, but requires an encoder configured for HLS. See YouTube’s ingest protocol guidance and HLS ingestion documentation.
Archive and copyright considerations
Archive duration
YouTube Help says streams under 12 hours are automatically archived. Do not assume that a continuous playlist running longer than 12 hours will produce one complete archive; plan separate broadcasts if a dependable complete archive matters. YouTube’s live streaming help provides the duration qualification.
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Rights and channel eligibility
Only stream videos, music, and other material you have the rights to use for a live broadcast. A playlist does not change YouTube’s copyright rules or make reused material eligible for monetization. Review YouTube’s current rules for copyright, live streaming, and monetization in Studio before scheduling a broadcast, especially if you are using licensed, public-domain, or third-party footage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot common problems
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check or do |
|---|---|---|
| FFmpeg cannot open a playlist entry | Incorrect path, permissions, or playlist quoting. | Check each path from the server account running FFmpeg, confirm read permissions, and simplify unusual filenames or verify their escaping against the installed FFmpeg documentation. |
| FFmpeg reports concat or stream errors at a file boundary | The files have incompatible stream characteristics, timestamps, or codecs. | Check resolution, frame rate, video codec, and audio codec across the files. Convert mismatched clips to a common format, then test the transition again. |
| YouTube does not show a preview | The encoder may be using the wrong ingest URL or key, or the feed may not be reaching YouTube. | Copy the current server URL and key from the selected YouTube Studio stream configuration, confirm the server has outbound connectivity, and inspect FFmpeg’s output for connection errors. Keep the key private. |
| The preview appears, but the scheduled event is not live | The feed and the viewer-facing event are separate controls. | After confirming the preview, use the scheduled event’s Go live control in YouTube Studio. |
| Audio or video stutters between clips | Differences in source encoding, timing, or the server’s ability to process and upload the feed. | Run a short test through every transition, standardize the source files if needed, and check server load and upload stability. |
| The broadcast ends unexpectedly | The playlist may have reached its final entry, FFmpeg may have stopped, or the connection may have dropped. | Check the playlist length, FFmpeg process and logs, and YouTube stream health. Configure and test any repeat or restart behavior before the production broadcast. |
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