For broadcasters and media teams

Cloud playout for TV and FAST channels

Q: How do I turn an on-demand library into a linear channel?

Upload or import the clips and put them in programme order in a playlist. Choose the output settings and destination. The channel can run 24/7 or repeat at set start and end times.

Q: Can I change the playlist without stopping the channel?

Yes. Click Publish to apply Builder edits to the live stream. Queue changes through the API take effect immediately, including adding, reordering and skipping files.

Q: Can Upstream send RTMP or HLS to YouTube?

Use the YouTube connection or a custom RTMP or RTMPS destination. HLS output is not offered.

Q: Can I import a BXF schedule?

Upstream has no native BXF import. You can build an integration that translates scheduling-system data into API calls. Content calendars and dayparting are not available.

Q: Is SCTE-35 available for FAST distribution?

The Upstream team can configure SCTE-35, EIT now/next and SDT service names over SRT (MPEG-TS) as a managed setup. Contact the team with your receiving platform requirements.

Keep your files ready in the Media Library & Storage.

Run your video archive as a live channel. Publish playlist changes while it plays, with one H.264 encode sent to every destination.

Create your channel Talk to our team

Put your archive on air

Run uploaded videos as a 24/7 channel or on a repeating schedule.

Add an audio playlist

Use a separate audio playlist alongside your video queue.

Publish while on air

Publish playlist changes without stopping the broadcast.

How it works

Set the playlist, then go live

Put the videos in programme order. Run them continuously or on a daily or weekly schedule, and publish changes without stopping the channel.

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Streaming

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Background
Audio
Stream designer
Live Studio BETA
Activity graphs

Stream settings

Manage background

Loop duration: 11:34:00

Settings
Chat
Destinations
Triggers
Collapse

Background settings

Background playlist order

Ordered loop
Shuffled loop

Ordered will play the background files in their order.

Video Fit

Crop
Fit

Background will be cropped to fill the entire canvas if the aspect ratio doesn't match.

Default Image Duration

Duration (seconds)

How long images display by default (1-60s). You can override per-image via right-click.

Video-triggered Inserts

Trigger ModeDisabled

Choose when to trigger video-triggered inserts

Background playlist settings

Background channel volume
0
Controls the volume of the background playlist, minimum value is 0 and maximum is 100.
Background fade typeNo fade
Controls the type of fade animation between background files.

General settings

Playback mode

Loop continuously
Play once and end

Stream loops your playlists 24/7 until you stop it manually or a schedule ends.

Schedule livestream

Schedule typeNo schedule - manual control

You start and stop the stream manually from the dashboard.

Actions

Preview

Save

Publish

1 Add videos while it's live 2 Loop in order or shuffled 3 Play inserts between videos 4 Publish. It keeps playing, 24/7

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One library for your channels

Upload or import your archive

Upload files up to 100 GB, within your storage quota. For files already online, import up to 20 HTTPS links at once or use the Google Drive picker.

Background
Audio
Stream designer
Live Studio BETA
Activity graphs

Manage background

Loop duration: 03:12:40

Late study4:12

Attach Sting / Ad Break

Rooftop flow3:48

Attach Sting / Ad Break

Cottage morning5:05

Attach Sting / Ad Break

Night owl1:31:22

Attach Sting / Ad Break

Reuse files across streams

Search your library by name or filter by type, size and resolution. Add files or folders to any stream. Saved playlists can be reused across channels.

Key facts

Choose your channel output

Every destination receives the same H.264 encode. Choose settings that each receiving platform accepts.

Output	Video bitrate cap	Plan requirement
720p	12 Mbps	60 fps plan for 60 fps
1080p	14 Mbps 17 Mbps at 60 fps	60 fps plan for 60 fps
1440p	30 Mbps	4K plan
4K	42 Mbps 50 Mbps at 60 fps	4K plan 60 fps plan for 60 fps

720p

Video bitrate cap: 12 Mbps
Plan requirement: 60 fps plan for 60 fps

1080p

Video bitrate cap: 14 Mbps
17 Mbps at 60 fps
Plan requirement: 60 fps plan for 60 fps

1440p

Video bitrate cap: 30 Mbps
Plan requirement: 4K plan

4K

Video bitrate cap: 42 Mbps
50 Mbps at 60 fps
Plan requirement: 4K plan
60 fps plan for 60 fps

Streams default to 1080p30 at 8 Mbps, with audio from 128 to 328 kbps. Choose horizontal or vertical output; they cannot run simultaneously. Upstream sends one encode, with no per-destination renditions or adaptive bitrate ladders.

Publish changes and ad cues

Publish from Builder or update the queue through the API. For managed FAST delivery, talk to the Upstream team.

Publish while on air

Click Publish to send Builder changes to the live stream. API queue edits apply additions, reordering and skips immediately. Compatible AI assistants can use the MCP server.

Send YouTube ad cues

Connect YouTube through OAuth to send mid-roll cues at timed points or every Nth video with at least 3 minutes left. Use a preset frequency or choose an interval from 6 to 30 minutes.

Talk to us about FAST delivery

Our team configures SCTE-35, EIT now/next and SDT service names over SRT as a managed setup. Talk to our team about your receiving platform.

The value you get per dollar is amazing. Many features are available at no cost when other similar services charge for them or do not have them available at all.

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FAQ

Cloud playout questions

01 How do I turn an on-demand library into a linear channel?

02 Can I change the playlist without stopping the channel?

03 Can Upstream send RTMP or HLS to YouTube?

04 Can I import a BXF schedule?

05 Is SCTE-35 available for FAST distribution?

06 What are the upload and storage limits?

Upload files up to 100 GB each, within your remaining storage quota. Uploads are resumable, with upload servers in the EU, US and Asia.

For files already online, import up to 20 HTTPS links at a time from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive or a direct URL. The Google Drive picker is also available.

Each stream slot includes 100 GB of storage. The 1-stream 4K plans include 150 GB. New uploads are rejected when you are over quota, and there is no self-serve storage add-on.

Check accepted formats and reencoding before you prepare the archive. For MXF masters, use the free MXF to MP4 converter.

07 Which output settings can I choose?

H.264 output is available at 720p, 1080p, 1440p and 4K. Streams default to 1080p at 30 fps and 8 Mbps. Audio ranges from 128 to 328 kbps.

720p: up to 12 Mbps.
1080p: up to 14 Mbps, or 17 Mbps at 60 fps.
1440p: up to 30 Mbps.
4K: up to 42 Mbps, or 50 Mbps at 60 fps.

You need a 4K plan for 1440p or 4K, and a 60 fps plan for 60 fps. Output can be horizontal or vertical, but the two cannot run simultaneously.

Every destination receives the same encode. Upstream has no per-destination renditions or adaptive bitrate ladders. Send to YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Facebook and other supported platforms, or use custom RTMP, RTMPS and SRT outputs.

08 How do repeating schedules and integrations work?

Set start and end times to repeat daily or weekly. Continuous schedules alternate on and off periods up to 72 hours and stop after 1 to 1000 cycles. The playlist sets programme order. See stream scheduling for setup details.

Connect your scheduling system through the REST API. Compatible AI assistants can use the MCP server.

Upstream runs in the cloud and has no on-prem installation. Native BXF, CSV, XML and M3U schedule imports are not available. Neither are content calendars, dayparting or as-run logs.

09 Can I add ad cues and channel graphics?

With YouTube connected through OAuth, send mid-roll ad cuepoints at timed points or every Nth video with at least 3 minutes remaining. Choose off, low, balanced or high frequency, or a custom interval from 6 to 30 minutes.

Use the designer for station bugs, tickers, lower thirds and promo banners. Publish changes while on air. Elements have entrance, exit and loop animations, with a "show every N minutes" option.

Alpha-channel video overlays are not supported. Build transparent animated lower thirds in the designer instead. See broadcast graphics and their limits.

10 How should I plan for recovery?

For YouTube, send a backup stream to its backup ingest alongside automatic encoder recovery and email alerts. The backup uses a stream slot and covers only the main destination. Other platforms need their own backup ingest support.

Read about backup streams and automatic recovery when planning stream capacity. See Upstream for broadcast teams or talk to our team about delivery requirements and API integration.

More features

Related features

Check file formats and graphics before you set up the channel backup.

Files File formats and reencoding Prepare archived files for H.264 playback. See feature Graphics Broadcast graphics Add station identity and programme details. See feature Continuity Backup streams Plan a second feed for your main destination. See feature

More features and guides

Build your cloud playout channel

Upload your first playlist, or talk to us about your output settings and broadcast requirements.

24/7 playlists 10 destinations Daily schedules Live publishing

Create your channel Talk to our team