24/7 and Pre-Recorded Live Streams: How They Work
How to broadcast MP4 files as live streams, schedule them and loop playlists for an always-on channel.
A pre-recorded stream broadcasts a video file as if it were live: you upload a file, choose a start time, and it plays out to your destinations. A 24/7 stream repeats videos or a playlist continuously so the channel is always on, even when your computer is switched off.
Because playback happens in the cloud, your own computer and internet connection are not involved while the stream runs.
You are responsible for having the rights to everything you broadcast. Platforms have their own policies on copyrighted music and video and may handle repeated, looped or pre-recorded content differently from live content. Read the rules for each destination before you set up a 24/7 channel. Our Terms state that you retain ownership of your content and must hold the necessary licenses.
Streaming hours count toward your plan. Starter includes 20 hours a month, Creator 50, Professional 150 and Business unlimited streaming under fair use, so an always-on channel needs a plan that matches its hours. See pricing.
Try it with Multistream Platform. Send one RTMP or SRT stream and relay it to YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Kick, TikTok and custom endpoints. Start on the free Starter plan (2 channels, 20 streaming hours a month) and see the pricing page for paid plans.
Platform figures were checked on October 3, 2026. Platforms change their recommendations, so confirm against the current documentation before you go live.
What multistreaming is, how it works, the three ways to do it and what to look for in a multistreaming service.
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How to work out the upload speed you need, with worked examples and official bitrate guidance from YouTube, Twitch and Facebook.
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Where to find each platform's stream key, which settings suit all three and how to manage chat.
Read the guideBring your live, hosted, and pre-recorded streams into one platform.
