Scheduling A YouTube Stream With Switcher

Scheduling a livestream allows you to better promote it, and your subscribers can get reminders for the stream. You can schedule a stream directly in Switcher Studio, using the YouTube integration.

Prior to setting up a scheduled stream, you'll need to be sure you've enabled livestreaming on YouTube and that you've linked your YouTube account to Switcher. If you haven't, follow these links for step-by-step instructions:

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Scheduling Your YouTube Stream

You can set up a scheduled stream in the Switcher Studio Dashboard or directly in the iOS app. These instructions are for the app, but the instructions for the Dashboard are similar.

In the Outputs tab, tap on the orange “Create” button to create a new stream. You’ll see several options for Destinations. Select "YouTube", and sign into it if needed.

You’ll now see it listed as a chosen option on the My Destinations screen. Tap the orange “Next” button at the bottom of the screen if you’re all set, or tap on a second destination if you wish to simultaneously stream to multiple destinations. You can tap the orange “Next” button when you’ve selected all of the destinations required.

Now, it’s time to set up your event on the appropriately titled “Set Up Your Event” screen

  • Tap the bubble at the top to select “Schedule Event”, which means a placeholder with a link to share will be added to all of your destinations. You can schedule your event up to one year in advance!
  • Give your event a Title and a Description, so that your viewers know what they’re about to watch.
  • Next, select your desired stream quality. For best results, tap on the stream quality button and choose Run Speed Test while in your streaming environment, and it will pick the best quality for your location.
    • We generally recommend 720p for streams. A very robust network is needed for 1080p, while 540p or even 360p is necessary if your network is spotty or has a slow upload speed.
  • Toggle on or off the ability to save your video automatically to your Video Library. Remember that the total amount of videos that can exist in your Video Library is based on your current Switcher plan:
    • Free Trial: 3 videos
    • 7-Day Pass: 10 videos
    • Studio: 10 videos
    • Business: 100 videos
    • Merchant: 100 videos
    • Plus: 150 videos / 50 per user

When you’re done, tap the orange “Create Event” button.

You’ll now see your event listed in the Outputs tab, and the destinations it’ll stream to show below it.

To go live, tap on the big red button at the time of your scheduled event! If you try to go live before your event’s time begins OR more than 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, your stream will not appear for your viewers, and you will have to create a brand new stream.

Editing Your Scheduled Stream

In the Outputs tab, tap on the grey "Change" button beside the currently selected event.

Tap on the icon with the three horizontal dots to the right of the event's name, and choose "Edit Details" from the dropdown menu.

The information you previously input for this event will appear. Tap on the dropdown boxes to change the date and/or the time of the event, and then tap the orange "Save" button at the bottom of the window.

Streaming To An Existing YouTube Stream

If you've already scheduled your livestream on youtube.com itself, you can still stream to it with Switcher's in-app integration!

  • Go to the Platforms tab in the Switcher dashboard.
  • Click Manage next to Livestreaming.
  • Click Create a New Livestream.
  • Select YouTube, followed by your YouTube channel.
  • Click Continue. 
  • Under Scheduling, select Existing Scheduled Post.
  • Select the scheduled event that you created in YouTube Studio.
  • Click Create.
  • Open the Switcher app when you are ready to go live.
  • Select the event in the Outputs tab of Switcher.
  • Tap on the big red circle to go live!

Important Information If Creating Streams Directly on YouTube.com

We recommend using the instructions above to create the livestream and go live using Switcher Studio's YouTube integration. However, if you decide to create the stream directly on YouTube.com instead, and then use Switcher Studio to stream, there are a few key settings to change:

Enable Auto-start & Enable Auto-stop

If you schedule a stream on YouTube.com, you'll need to turn on the Enable Auto-start and Enable Auto-stop options. If these options are not enabled, your stream will not start/stop on YouTube unless you manually initiate/end it on YouTube.com.

You can find these options under Stream Settings, which you can access as follows:

  • Go to the Live Control Room for your YouTube channel.

  • Click the calendar icon in the left-hand menu to manage your streams.

  • Click the title of the stream you want to edit.

  • Click the toggles next to Enable Auto-start and Enable Auto-stop. When they are enabled, the buttons are blue and to the right, as shown below.