Creating a Live Event

Overview

The Live Events section allows administrators to create, manage, and monitor live streams for video and audio events.

Each live event can be configured as an RTMP stream or linked to an external media source and can be distributed across web, mobile, and OTT platforms.

Before You Begin

Before creating a live event, keep the following in mind:

Stream Provisioning Requirement

All live events must be scheduled at least 6 minutes in the future from the time they are created.

This provisioning period allows the streaming infrastructure to prepare the stream and generate connection information.

Unique Stream Credentials

For RTMP events, each event receives its own:

• Stream URL

• Stream Key

These credentials are unique to that specific event and should be entered into your encoder prior to going live.

Supported RTMP Encoders

Commonly used encoders include:

• OBS Studio

• Wirecast

• vMix

• Teradek Devices

• Hardware RTMP Encoders

Accessing Live Events

1. Log in to the CMS.

2. Navigate to Live Events.

3. Select Add New Media Event.

Figure 1 – Live Events Dashboard

Creating a New Event

After selecting Add New Media Event, complete the fields shown below.

Figure 2 – Live Event Creation Form

Event Information

Title

Enter the event title exactly as you want it displayed on your website and applications.

Example

• Volleyball vs. State University

• Men's Basketball vs. Rival College

• Volleyball Test Stream

Notes

Optional internal notes for administrators.

This field is not displayed publicly.

Start Date / Time

⚠️ Important

The event start time must be at least 6 minutes in the future.

Example

If you begin creating an event at:

12:00 PM

The earliest valid start time is:

12:06 PM

This allows sufficient time for stream provisioning.

Attempting to connect before provisioning is complete may result in:

• Connection failures

• Encoder authentication issues

• Stream startup delays

The CMS will display an error message if an invalid start time is selected.

If you wish to create a stream and start it ASAP, the Checkbox Start ASAP will be autoselected unless a date and time are entered.

End Date / Time

Enter the anticipated event end time. 

Tip: It is ideal to give your event as much time as possible. 

Sport

Select the applicable sport.

Examples:

• Football

• Basketball

• Volleyball

• Soccer

• Baseball

Category

Select a category if your site utilizes event categorization.

Event Poster Image

Optional.

Upload an image to be used as the:

• Event Thumbnail

• Video Poster Image

• Preview Image

Recommended for improving presentation on web and OTT platforms.

Event Type

Choose the appropriate event type.

Free Event

Available to all viewers.

Paid Event

Available to authorized paying viewers.

Premium Event

Available according to premium subscription rules.

Test Event

Used for testing equipment and workflows.

Unlisted

Enable this option if you do not want the event visible to the public.

Unlisted events can still be accessed directly if the URL is known.

Configuring the Media Source

External Media Source

This setting determines how content is delivered.

YES — RTMP Streaming

Select Yes when streaming from an encoder.

Examples:

• OBS

• Wirecast

• vMix

• Teradek

• Hardware Encoders

When RTMP is selected, the CMS generates:

• Stream URL

• Stream Key

These values will appear after the event is created.

NO — External Media Source

Select No when using a third-party media URL.

Common examples include:

• Radio station streams

• Learfield audio feeds

• Conference audio feeds

• Network-provided streams

Supported External Media URLs

External URLs should:

• Begin with https://

Common formats include:

• .mp3

• .m3u8

Additional Settings

Archive Category

Determines how completed events are archived.

Blackout Market

Apply blackout restrictions when applicable.

Device Availability

Choose whether the event is available on:

• Mobile App

• Roku

• Apple TV

• Fire TV

Preroll

Leave enabled unless otherwise instructed.

Preroll controls advertisement and sponsorship playback before stream startup.

Contact Information

Provide support contact information for event management.

Fields include:

• Name

• Email

• Phone

• SMS Contact

Stream Type

Select the content type:

Video

Standard live video stream.

Audio

Audio-only event.

Associated Game

Link the event to a scheduled game if applicable.

This assists with scheduling and presentation throughout the platform.

Saving the Event

After completing all required fields:

1. Review your settings.

2. Select Submit.

The CMS will refresh and return you to the Live Events page.

Your event will now appear in the Live Events table.

Understanding the Live Events Table

The Live Events table provides status information and management controls for each event.

Figure 3 – Live Events Table

Event Statuses

Scheduled

The event has been created and is awaiting its scheduled start time.

Preparing

The stream is currently being provisioned.

During this phase:

• Stream resources are being allocated.

• Encoder connections may not yet be available.

Ready

The stream is fully provisioned and ready for encoder connection.

Stream Controls

Start

Select Start to manually activate the stream.

This is commonly used when beginning a broadcast shortly before the scheduled start time.

End

⚠️ Warning

Selecting End is permanent.

When selected:

• The stream immediately ends.

• The watch page is removed.

• The event cannot be restarted.

If a stream is ended accidentally:

1. Create a new live event.

2. Obtain the newly generated Stream URL and Stream Key.

3. Reconfigure your encoder using the new credentials.

Media Source Column

RTMP

RTMP events provide:

• Copy Stream URL

• Copy Stream Key

Use these buttons to quickly copy credentials into your encoder.

External

Indicates the event uses a third-party media source URL rather than RTMP.

Additional Actions

Edit

Modify event information and settings.

Embed

Access player embed code for website integration.

Cancel Event

Removes the event before it begins.

Note: This option becomes unavailable once the scheduled start time has been reached.

Duplicate

Creates a copy of an existing event.

Useful for:

• Weekly broadcasts

• Recurring events

• Similar production schedules

Export Table

Exports the Live Events table to a spreadsheet format.

This feature is particularly useful when:

• Managing multiple events

• Sharing Stream URLs and Stream Keys with production staff

• Coordinating multi-event production schedules

Common Mistakes & Troubleshooting

"My encoder won't connect."

Verify:

• The event start time is at least 6 minutes in the future.

• The event status is Ready.

• The Stream URL and Stream Key were copied/input correctly.

"I ended my stream by accident."

The End action cannot be reversed.

Create a new live event and use the newly generated Stream URL and Stream Key.

"My stream key doesn't work."

Each event has unique credentials.

Verify you are using the Stream URL and Stream Key associated with the correct event.

"I don't see my event on the site."

Check:

• Event start and end dates.

• Unlisted setting.

• Blackout restrictions.