Search StreamScheme

Stream Scheme

How to Start a Rerun on Twitch

calendar1 Last Updated

Twitch gives its streamers the opportunity to play past reruns on their channels. While the Twitch Platform is generally reserved for live interaction, there are instances where playing reruns is appropriate.

Starting a rerun on Twitch with Dashboard is incredibly simple. In this article and video tutorial, we cover how to set up a rerun, the reasons to do one as well as the possible downsides.

While reruns aren’t for everyone and some viewers would never be enticed to watch one, there is a potential audience for your past streams. Twitch make it easy to show a rerun of a classic episode on your nights off!

Check out the full tutorial on how to set-up a rerun our YouTube video below:

How to Rerun on Twitch

To start a Twitch rerun, you will need to complete the following steps:

  1. Step 1

    creator dashboard

    To activate a rerun you must go to your Creator Dashboard. To get there from within Twitch, click the avatar on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Select “Creator Dashboard” from the dropdown menu. 

  2. Step 2

    stream manager

    From your dashboard, you will need to click “Stream Manager.”

  3. Step 3

    start a rerun button

    Your stream manager will open. Select the “Start a Rerun” option. If you don’t have it, click the “+” to find it.

  4. Step 4

    hit the go to grow community section

    Scroll through the options until you find “Start a Rurun” from the options given.

  5. Step 5

    add multiple if its 1 series

    If you don’t have any videos in your queue, you will need to add them. Use the search bar to find what you need. Select the VoD you want, then click “Start Rerun.”

    rerun preview

    The stream should start as a rerun. On the bottom of your channel screen, you will have the option to manage the rerun or stop it. At this point, you should be able to see your rerun on its category page.

4th on rerun

How to Set up Rerun Alerts in Streamlabs

It is a good idea to also set up your chatbot to let people know that they are watching a rerun and why. Add a timer and have it post every 3-5 minutes. Here’s an example:

streamlabs and cloudbot timer

Watch your rerun a little while to make sure the timers are working correctly:

streamlabs timed alert

Requirements for Twitch Reruns:

In order for you to start a rerun on Twitch, you must first reach Twitch Affiliate status, which requires the following:

  • 50 followers
  • 3 concurrent viewers
  • 500+ minutes streamed in the last 30 days
  • Streamed 7+ days in last 30 days

What Resolution will Your Twitch Rerun Play?

Reruns always run at a maximum resolution of 720p. There is currently no way to increase it.

Can You Upload Pre-recorded Videos to Twitch?

Twitch allows you to upload pre-recorded videos to Twitch through the dashboard. Streamers are allowed to set them up to play immediately or schedule them for a later date. You can also upload pre-recorded videos through a third-party program such as Restream.

Can You Edit Twitch Vods?

While you can’t edit a past VOD, you can create short clips of sections you like. Alternatively, you can create highlights on your streams that will help your viewers find the best content quicker. 

If you plan to upload your Twitch VOD to YouTube, you can always make edits by downloading it, using an editing software, then uploading it. Alternatively, you could do the same by uploading the video back to Twitch and deleting the original VOD.

Reasons to Rerun Twitch Stream

While reruns aren’t for everyone and some viewers would never be enticed to watch one, there is a potential audience for your past streams. 

  1. 1. Playing Reruns for Multiple Audiences

    If you stream in the UK but you have a huge Aussie fanbase who is asleep during your broadcast, running a rerun allows your second community to enjoy your content together. While they may not be able to interact with you, the ability to interact with each other means that they aren’t necessarily watching the show “be themselves” as they would if they were watching the VoD. 

  2. 2. Showing Reruns of Classic Great Episodes on Your Nights Off

    Some streams are better than others and will go down in your community’s history. Save these to be played as reruns in the future. On your nights off, set up a good show and allow the viewers who are interested to take a walk down memory lane. You’ll have hardcore fans who will want to show off that “they were there” when it happened live, as well as new followers who might want to binge-watch with their new community. 

Reruns vs Hosting

Playing reruns on your channel will give you a small chance of finding followers while you are offline. While most viewers go to your channel to watch live-streams, the occasional viewer that is passing by may  enjoy your content and follow you to be notified of your next broadcast. 

On the other hand, hosting can help you network with other streamers. Whether you do it as part of a team or as a raid, hosting can potentially open up doors for finding Twitch collaborations in the future. 

Reruns Can Hurt Your Analytics

Another thing you should bear in mind is that reruns can hurt your analytics. If you aren’t a partnered streamer, and you are working toward that goal, you may want to hold back on running reruns. It is hard enough for most streamers to reach that 75 concurrent viewer goal without adding times where you will get far fewer viewers. 

In the meantime, save your VoDs and clips for people to watch and enjoy while you are offline. While they can’t have the same interaction, they can still communicate with each other through Discord or other social media hubs. 

Some Viewers/Streamers Don’t Take Reruns Seriously

You could potentially damage your relationship with a few viewers or streamers by streaming reruns on your channel. This will be rare as most people aren’t bothered one way or another about it. Most will just ignore a broadcast if it is a rerun but will show back up when the channel goes live.

Conclusion

You should wait until you have reached partner status before you begin playing reruns. Build it in as part of your routine, but don’t have them playing on repeat all day.

About the Author

Luci

Luci is a novelist, freelance writer, and active blogger. A journalist at heart, she loves nothing more than interviewing the outliers of the gaming community who are blazing a trail with entertaining original content. When she’s not penning an article, coffee in hand, she can be found gearing her shieldmaiden or playing with her son at the beach.

Back to top