Control a live stream

Watch the steps

1. 1Ad/Break Video
2. 2Save Changes
3. 3Show Ad/Break
4. 4Confirm
5. 5Viewers now see the break video
6. 6Show Main

Switch to an ad break during a stream (0:20)

During a pay-per-view stream, you can switch every viewer to a second video and back again. The second video can be an ad, a half-time show or a “be right back” screen. Viewers do not need to refresh, and anyone in fullscreen stays in fullscreen.

Add the break video

Set this up before the stream:

1. Go to Protected Content and click Edit on your stream.

2. Under Ad/Break Video, set Video Type to YouTube (Stream Player), the same as the main stream. Paste the break video’s link in YouTube URL.

   

3. Click Save Changes.

A Show Ad/Break button now appears at the top of the edit page.

When both videos use YouTube (Stream Player), viewers switch in place. If the break uses another Video Type, the viewer’s page reloads to change the player. A viewer in fullscreen sees a tap-to-reload bar instead.

Switch during the stream

When the break starts:

1. On the content’s edit page, click Show Ad/Break.

   

2. Click Confirm.

   

   Viewers switch to the break video within a second, or within 30 seconds on a slow connection.

   

3. When the break ends, click Show Main, then Confirm.

   

Change the stream itself

If your YouTube live ends and you start a new one, paste the new link into YouTube URL. Then click Save Changes. Open pages follow the change the same way.

When a change cannot be made in place, for example a new theme, the page reloads by itself. Viewers in fullscreen are not pulled out: they see The stream has changed. Tap to reload and choose the moment.

Help viewers with Watch on TV

Every stream page has Watch on TV. If a viewer cannot find their TV code, point them to the help link under Connect.

The link opens a picture guide. The guide tells the viewer to open the YouTube app on the smart TV and go to Settings. The viewer then chooses Link with TV code and types the 12-digit code from the stream page.

Tips

Prepare before the event starts:

• Keep the edit page open during the stream. The Show Ad/Break and Show Main buttons are then one click away.
• Make the break video long enough. Use a clip at least as long as your longest break. Viewers then never reach the end of the clip.
• Check the switch in Preview. Open Preview in another tab before the event and switch once to see it change.

Common issues

Can I show an ad or a 'be right back' video during half time?

Yes. Add it as the Ad/Break Video on the stream content. During the stream, click Show Ad/Break at the top of the content's edit page. Click Show Main to go back.

See it in the steps

Do viewers need to refresh when I switch videos?

No. Viewers switch within about a second, or within 30 seconds on a slow connection, and stay in fullscreen. They see a bar that asks them to tap to reload only when a change needs a new page.

My YouTube live link changed. Do buyers need a new link?

No. Paste the new link in YouTube URL and click Save Changes. Buyers keep their own access links, and open pages move to the new stream.

Related articles

• Sell a pay-per-view live stream
• Stream page themes
• Protect a video
• Manage who has access