How to Set Up a New Sermon Series and Livestream Branding in Subsplash

Learn step-by-step how to start a new sermon series, update branding, and manage livestreams in Subsplash and Planning Center. Includes tips for media uploads, scheduling, and YouTube integration.

July 30, 2025 By Brad Claunch

In this guide, we'll learn how to manage sermon series and livestream branding using Subsplash and Planning Center. This process includes updating media series, uploading artwork in the correct sizes, and ensuring that livestreams reflect the right branding for each event. We will also cover how to schedule and update livestreams so that your content is consistent across platforms.

Let's get started

When starting a new sermon series in Subsplash, first go to Planning Center. Open Weekend Services and check the Sunday Morning folder.

Step #1: Click on "Weekend Services" — Click on "Weekend Services"

Our current series, The Minor Prophets, ends on August 10. After that, we have a One-Off and Celebration Sunday scheduled, as far as we know at this time. We'll use generic branding for both the One-Off and Celebration Sunday. We'll load that in now and discuss the new series later when we have more information. We're going to switch back to our Subsplash dashboard.

Step #2: Click on "Subsplash Dashboard" — Click on "Subsplash Dashboard"

Once you sign in, this is what you see. For each sermon series, we will create a new media series. This is how we will edit each sermon series.

Step #3: Click on "□ Create Media Series" — Click on "□ Create Media Series"

We created The Minor Prophets and added a tagline.

Step #5: Click on "Create" — Click on "Create"

We uploaded all the branding in the correct sizes.

Step #8: Click on "Library" — Click on "Library"

Step #10: Click on "Apply" — Click on "Apply"

Make sure to upload each file individually. Do not click "apply to all sizes."

It ensures the correct proportion and size.

Step #14: Click on "Apply" — Click on "Apply"

We can save it, then publish it.

Step #15: Click on "1920 x 692" — Click on "1920 x 692"

Step #17: Click on "Minor" — Click on "Minor"

Step #18: Click on "Apply" — Click on "Apply"

Next, go back to your library. Then, open the main menu.

Step #21: Click on "Library" — Click on "Library"

Go to Library and Lists.

Here we have Sunday Mornings and The Porch. This process is the same for both. We will do Sunday Sermons. Then, go to Add Item. It will show the most recent media series, The Minor Prophets.

Step #26: Click on "+ Add item" — Click on "+ Add item"

Here is the original, and next to it is the one we just created. We won't add it now, but to do so, simply click Add. That's it.

Step #27: Click on "Major Message" — Click on "Major Message"

Step #28: Click on "Cancel" — Click on "Cancel"

Also, ensure that the Sunday after a new series begins, all branding is updated to match The Minor Prophets or the appropriate theme.

Step #30: Click on "Square" — Click on "Square"

All right, now we will edit the livestream.

Go to the Media section in the Live tab.

As you can see, these are already named with the date, year, and time of the service. They are all appearing.

Step #37: Click on "2025 - 11:00 Worship Service" — Click on "2025 - 11:00 Worship Service"

They are set as drafts. Connect an encoder. Syndication is enabled for Watermark Fort Worth, YouTube, and Facebook pages. Chat and push notifications are currently off.

We do not add any of this information at this time. That could change at any time. However, right now, we do not do that.

Step #41: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

We want to start switching to generic branding effective August 17th, which is this one here. I have the template. It creates an entry with a comma, the year, and then either the 9:00 AM service or the 11:00 AM worship service. We’ll go to the repeating livestreams and click on the 9:00 AM option first.

Step #42: Click on "Sundays at 8:55 am" — Click on "Sundays at 8:55 am"

We're going to keep the name, right? We want it to auto-populate and only change the artwork.

We will update each piece of artwork: the square, the wide, and the banner.

Step #44: Click on "1024 x 1024" — Click on "1024 x 1024"

Step #46: Click on "Apply" — Click on "Apply"

Step #47: Click on "1920 x 1080" — Click on "1920 x 1080"

Step #49: Click on "Apply this image to all sizes Apply" — Click on "Apply this image to all sizes Apply"

It's not a perfect match, but we'll go ahead and save it anyway.

Step #51: Click on "TW FW" — Click on "TW FW"

Step #52: Click on "Apply" — Click on "Apply"

We did not add the livestreams to any series.

It would appear in multiple places within the app if we did that, so we found it doesn't make the most sense. Next, click Save.

Step #55: Click on "Save" — Click on "Save"

It may take a moment to save. This change will apply to all livestreams that are not set as a draft or published. It says, "These will not be modified because they're already set as draft or published." The livestream is automatically published seven days before the event.

Step #57: Click on "Sundays at 8:55 am" — Click on "Sundays at 8:55 am"

These are published, and these are set as drafts because we changed their names. Now we'll do the same for the 11:00 AM service—just update the artwork.

Step #59: Click on "2025" — Click on "2025"

Whoops.

Click "Save." You'll see the same warning: "This may not affect certain livestreams," which is fine.

Step #64: Click on "Ewy FW" — Click on "Ewy FW"

Step #65: Click on "Apply" — Click on "Apply"

Step #68: Click on "Apply" — Click on "Apply"

Step #70: Click on "WIEW" — Click on "WIEW"

Step #71: Double-click on "Apply" — Double-click on "Apply"

Step #72: Click on "Save" — Click on "Save"

That's exactly what we want. That's one reason we don't add all the dates for every livestream at once.

Now go to the View All list. You will see that all future non-published livestreams have switched to generic branding.

Step #74: Click on "View all" — Click on "View all"

Step #75: Click on "Next" — Click on "Next"

Step #76: Click on "Previous" — Click on "Previous"

That's why we don't change the name until we know the series for each service. Go back to View All. Since we use generic branding for both August 17th and 24th, load that in along with their titles.

Step #78: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #79: Click on "View all" — Click on "View all"

Just like that, then select Schedule.

Clicked it too soon.

Step #83: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #85: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

We'll repeat the process for the 24th as well.

Step #87: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #88: Click on "View all" — Click on "View all"

Step #92: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #93: Click on "View all" — Click on "View all"

Step #94: Click on "Live stream" — Click on "Live stream"

Sorry, press Schedule instead of Save Draft.

Step #96: Click on "Save draft" — Click on "Save draft"

Step #98: Click on "Schedule" — Click on "Schedule"

Next, go to YouTube and check that the names have been updated.

Step #99: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #102: Click on "11:00 Worship Service" — Click on "11:00 Worship Service"

Step #103: Click on "2025 - 11:00 Worship Service" — Click on "2025 - 11:00 Worship Service"

Step #106: Click on "YT" — Click on "YT"

Step #107: Click on "Subsplash Dashboard" — Click on "Subsplash Dashboard"

Step #108: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Switch to the Live tab. Now, August 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th are all set up in YouTube. Everything is uploaded and available where needed.

Step #109: Click on "View all" — Click on "View all"

Step #112: Click on "Unpublish" — Click on "Unpublish"

Step #114: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #116: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #117: Click on "Channel content - YouTube St" — Click on "Channel content - YouTube St"

Step #118: Click on "Live" — Click on "Live"

Step #119: Click on "Subsplash Dashboard" — Click on "Subsplash Dashboard"

That's how we manage our media.