How to schedule a YouTube Premiere

Your video is ready, and you want your audience to watch it with you at a set time. A YouTube Premiere gives you a page to share beforehand, reminders for viewers, and a chat during playback. Here is how to schedule it and check the watch page before announcing it.

A Premiere is for a regular video; YouTube does not support Shorts, 360/VR180 videos, or output above 1080p. If a Community Guidelines strike penalty period is active, YouTube keeps the Premiere private until it ends, and you must schedule it again afterward. (YouTube Help: Premiere a new video)

Set up the Premiere in YouTube Studio

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio, select Create, then Upload videos.
2. Choose the video file and enter its details.
3. At the visibility step, select Schedule, enter the date and time, and check Set as Premiere.
4. To choose a countdown theme and length, select Set up Premiere, then confirm with Done.
5. Check the date and time, then click Schedule.

To start as soon as processing finishes instead, choose Save or publish → Public → Set as instant Premiere. You don’t need to select a later date for that option.

YouTube also documents an option to set a video as a Premiere from the YouTube app’s Set visibility screen. The official Premiere instructions cover both upload paths.

Share the watch page

YouTube creates a public watch page before the Premiere begins. Share its URL so viewers can visit the page, set a reminder, comment, or chat. Open the page and check its title, thumbnail, and announced date before sharing it. The countdown starts at the scheduled time, followed by the video playing for viewers together. After the Premiere, it remains on your channel as a regular upload. (Before, during, and after a Premiere)

A Premiere is for a regular uploaded video. If you need a scheduled release for a Short, follow the YouTube Shorts scheduling steps.

If you plan to stream live for the first time, check how to enable YouTube Live before your first stream and allow for the possible activation wait.