Showing your latest YouTube livestream automatically

Tired of updating your website's video every Sunday? YouTube has a special embed link that shows your channel's current livestream, so you can set it up once and leave it. Here's how.

Just want to add a single video? Use the Video widget instead. See our Video Widget article.

Step 1: Find your YouTube Channel ID

  1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
  2. Click Settings, then Channel, then Advanced settings.
  3. Copy your Channel ID. It starts with "UC" and is 24 characters long. (This is not your @handle.)

Step 2: Add a Code widget to your page

  1. Log in to your Churchly website editor.
  2. Navigate to the page where you want your livestream (for example, your Watch or Sermons page).
  3. Click Add a new block to create an empty section.
  4. In the widgets menu, scroll down to the Code widget and drag it into the new block.

Step 3: Paste the livestream code

  1. Paste this code into the Code widget, replacing CHANNEL_ID with your Channel ID:
<iframe width="100%" height="450" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/live_stream?channel=CHANNEL_ID" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
  1. Make sure Execute code is checked.
  2. Adjust the widget's spacing and size so the video fits your page.
  3. Click Save, then preview your page.

What shows when you're not live?

When your channel is live, visitors will see the stream right on your page. When you're not live, YouTube decides what appears. It may show your next scheduled stream, or a message that the video is unavailable. It won't always show your most recent replay.

Tip: Your stream must be Public for it to show on your website. Unlisted and private streams won't display.

Need help finding your Channel ID? Send us your YouTube channel link and we'll grab it for you!


Need Further Assistance?

If you have any questions or need further assistance, click on the "Need Some Help" button on your dashboard to reach out to our support team. We're here to help you make the most out of your Churchly website and ensure you can effectively reach your community.

Still need help? Contact Us Contact Us