Overview
Start Overlay Hidden is a stream setting that stops the overlay from appearing automatically when the stream starts. When it's switched on, the overlay stays hidden until an operator manually puts graphics on air from the Control Room.
This setting only affects LIGR-hosted streams. It doesn't apply when you load the overlay's production URL in external production software.
When to Use Start Overlay Hidden
Switch this setting on when you want complete control over when graphics first appear on your stream. Common scenarios include:
You need to start the stream early but don't want graphics visible during pre-match setup.
You want to check the stream is running correctly before showing any overlays.
You need time to prepare graphics or check data before showing them to viewers.
How to Enable Start Overlay Hidden
You set this when you create the stream. It can't be changed while the stream is live.
Go to Matches and find your match.
Open the match's menu and add a stream. The CREATE STREAM SETTINGS window opens.
Fill in the sections listed down the left: Stream, Input, Destinations and Output.
Click the Overlay section (or scroll to it). Pick the overlay for the stream, for example Main Feed.
Switch on the Start Overlay Hidden toggle.
Click Create to create the stream with the setting applied.
What Happens When Start Overlay Hidden is Enabled
When you start a stream with Start Overlay Hidden switched on:
The stream starts and begins broadcasting to its destinations.
The overlay exists and is assigned to the stream.
No graphics appear on the output. Viewers see only the clean video feed.
Graphics stay hidden until you manually show them from the Control Room.
How to Show Graphics After Stream Starts
Once your stream is running with the overlay hidden, you can put graphics on air whenever you're ready.
On the Matches table, expand the match.
Open the menu at the far right of the overlay's row and click Open Control Room.
Find the graphic you want on the right and click GFX In to put it on air. It then appears on the live stream output.
Important Limitations
LIGR-Hosted Streams Only
Start Overlay Hidden only affects LIGR-hosted streams. When you load the overlay production URL in external production software, this setting has no effect. The production URL shows graphics as soon as it loads, whatever this setting is.
Cannot Change While Live
You can't switch Start Overlay Hidden on or off while a stream is running. To change it:
Stop the stream.
Open the stream settings by choosing Configure from the stream's menu, or Stream Settings from the three-dot menu on the Stream Monitor. The UPDATE STREAM SETTINGS window opens.
In the Overlay section, change the Start Overlay Hidden toggle and click Update.
Start the stream again for the change to take effect.
Relationship to Hide Graphics
Start Overlay Hidden is different from the Hide graphics switch on the Stream Monitor page.
Start Overlay Hidden: set in the Overlay section of the stream settings window. It decides whether graphics appear automatically when the stream starts.
Hide graphics: found in Stream control on the Stream Monitor. Switch it on to take all graphics off a live LIGR-hosted stream, and off again to bring them back. This changes what every viewer sees.
Both settings only apply to LIGR-hosted streams. Neither affects overlays loaded in external software via the production URL.