How to Stream Pre-Recorded Video on YouTube and Make More Money
When you stream pre-recorded video on YouTube as a live broadcast, you earn more on videos you've already shot by giving them a new wave of reach. Once a stream ends, it's saved in your broadcasts section and the platform continues promoting it like a regular video — collecting views, ad revenue, and donations.
There are several ways to organize broadcasts that help you maximize income. Here's how to get started.
How Automatic Broadcasts Work
With Creator Tools, the entire process is automated. Here's the basic flow:
- Create a broadcast on YouTube — set a name, description, and cover image.
- Upload your videos to Creator Tools — choose videos so their total duration is around 1 hour.
- Set a timer — configure a start and end time. Note: YouTube does not save broadcasts longer than 12 hours, so keep streams within that limit.
- Translate your broadcast's title and description — reach a global audience by adding translations in 50–100 languages via the Translations tab.
- Launch and earn — the broadcast starts automatically and is saved in your broadcasts section. After it ends, YouTube continues promoting it like a regular video.
This method turns old videos into new views and monetization with no extra manual effort.
Creator Tools runs the videos you have already recorded as a 24/7 live stream in HD or 4K. You can try it free for 3 days, no card needed.
Step-by-Step: How to Live Stream a Pre-Recorded Video
Before you begin: The stream must already be created on your YouTube channel. Follow the YouTube instructions for creating a stream, then return here.
To configure a stream, log in to your Creator Tools account.
Step 1 — Upload Your Video Files
There are two ways to add your videos:
- Click the Select files button.
- Drag and drop files directly onto the Select files area.
You can also add an entire folder at once.
Step 2 — Wait for Files to Load
Once uploaded, your files are highlighted by quality:
- Yellow — the stream will work acceptably, but re-rendering at a higher quality is recommended.
- Red — the video does not meet streaming requirements and will not play.
For HD streaming, use an MP4 container with these bitrate settings:
| Frame Rate | Bitrate |
|---|---|
| 24 fps / 30 fps | 6800k |
| 60 fps | 8000k |
FAQ
Can you stream a pre-recorded video on YouTube?
Yes. Create the broadcast on your YouTube channel, upload your videos to Creator Tools and set a start and end time; the broadcast then starts automatically. YouTube does not save broadcasts longer than 12 hours, so keep each stream within that limit.
Do I need OBS to live stream a pre-recorded video?
No. With Creator Tools the stream runs from its servers, so you don't need OBS or encoder settings, and your computer can stay off.
Can I stream pre-recorded video on YouTube for free?
You can try Creator Tools Streaming free for 3 days, with no card needed.
What video settings work best?
For HD streaming, use an MP4 container with a bitrate of 6800k at 24 or 30 fps, or 8000k at 60 fps.
