YouTube radio station

Run a YouTube radio station 24/7

Q: How do I create a 24/7 radio station on YouTube?

Use music and visuals you have permission to broadcast. Connect YouTube in Upstream and add separate audio and background playlists. Set continuous looping, then check the picture and audio on YouTube before leaving the station running.

Q: Can I use an existing internet radio stream?

Yes. Set an external radio URL as the audio source and add a background video or image slideshow for YouTube. The source server needs to stay online.

Q: Can the music and background visuals loop separately?

Yes. The audio and background playlists have separate loops. A short video or image slideshow can repeat while the longer music playlist keeps playing.

Q: Can I show the current track and an audio visualizer?

Yes. Add the now-playing overlay and audio visualizer to your layout. Check the preview before you start the broadcast.

Q: Does my computer need to stay on?

Your computer can be off while Upstream plays uploaded files from its servers. An external radio URL still depends on the source server staying online.

Q: Does Upstream provide music rights?

No. You need permission to broadcast your music and visuals on every destination. Copyright claims or restrictions can still affect a stream. Read the YouTube copyright claim and strike guide.

Q: Can I send the station to other platforms?

Yes. Send the same stream to up to 10 destinations, including Mixcloud. Check each destination's content and duration rules before adding it. For TikTok, check external streaming access before planning a simulcast.

Q: Can I prepare a visualizer video before going live?

Yes. Use the audio visualizer tool to make a video for the playlist, or add the in-stream visualizer to your layout. Keep track text clear of busy artwork and check it at phone size. Publish graphics changes while on air.

Keep a music station running from the cloud. Your background video or slideshow loops separately from the music, with the current track on screen.

Start your radio station Audio and visuals loop separately.

Show the track on screen

Keep the station name and current track visible. Add the audio visualizer to the same layout.

Give the music its own playlist

Play tracks in order or shuffle them. The audio playlist runs separately from your background video or image slideshow.

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Choose where the music comes from

Keeping an existing station or starting a new one? Compare desktop, server and cloud radio automation software before choosing your audio source.

Detail	Uploaded audio playlist	External radio URL
Audio source	Tracks from your account library.	The radio server you provide.
Source availability	Upstream plays uploaded files from its servers.	The source server must stay available.
Your computer	Can be off during uploaded playback.	The server providing the radio URL must remain online.
Picture	Separate background video or image slideshow.	Separate background video or image slideshow.
On-screen details	Now-playing overlay and audio visualizer.	Add station text and an audio visualizer.
Rights	You need permission for each destination.	You need permission for each destination.

Audio source

Uploaded audio playlist: Tracks from your account library.
External radio URL: The radio server you provide.

Source availability

Uploaded audio playlist: Upstream plays uploaded files from its servers.
External radio URL: The source server must stay available.

Your computer

Uploaded audio playlist: Can be off during uploaded playback.
External radio URL: The server providing the radio URL must remain online.

Picture

Uploaded audio playlist: Separate background video or image slideshow.
External radio URL: Separate background video or image slideshow.

On-screen details

Uploaded audio playlist: Now-playing overlay and audio visualizer.
External radio URL: Add station text and an audio visualizer.

Rights

Uploaded audio playlist: You need permission for each destination.
External radio URL: You need permission for each destination.

Loop the background separately

Use a background video or image slideshow while the music playlist keeps playing. Keep the station name and track text clear of busy artwork.

Set the station hours

Run 24/7 or set daily or weekly start and end times. Publish later Builder edits without stopping the broadcast.

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FAQ

YouTube radio station questions

01 How do I create a 24/7 radio station on YouTube?

02 Can I use an existing internet radio stream?

03 Can the music and background visuals loop separately?

04 Can I show the current track and an audio visualizer?

05 Does my computer need to stay on?

06 Does Upstream provide music rights?

07 Can I send the station to other platforms?

08 How do I set the layout and schedule?

Create a playlist stream and connect a YouTube channel that can go live. Upload tracks or set an external radio URL. Add a background video or image slideshow, then place your logo, now-playing overlay and audio visualizer.

Run continuously or set daily or weekly start and end times. Once live, listen through a track change on YouTube. You can publish later Builder edits without stopping the stream.

09 Can I prepare a visualizer video before going live?

10 What should I check before the first track?

Check that your music and visual licenses cover live streaming on every destination. Buying a track or accessing a music library does not by itself grant broadcast permission. Keep those permissions with your files.

Listeners arrive at the current track. Keep the station name and track text readable throughout the broadcast.

11 What happens if the broadcast stops?

Upstream relaunches a failed encoder up to 5 times. It reloads stalled output and recreates an ended YouTube event. You get an email if a stream stops or a YouTube event ends or is replaced. Check the message and live broadcast.

If you use an external radio URL, its source server still needs to stay available.

12 How much storage is included for uploaded audio?

13 Does a backup cover every destination?

More features

Related features

Set up your station's playlists and on-screen graphics, then choose its broadcast hours.

Playlists Separate music and visuals Keep the music and visuals on their own loops. See audio and video playlists Overlays Show the track and your logo Add your station artwork, now-playing text and a visualizer. See live stream overlays Scheduling Set hours for your station Set daily or weekly start and end times for regular shows. See live stream scheduling

More features and guides

Guides

Guides for your radio station

BlogAug 3, 2026

Start your YouTube radio station

Connect YouTube and add your music. Check the picture and audio, then start the station.

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