How to show discussion topics on stream
Updated June 11, 2026 · 8 min read · Works with OBS, Streamlabs, Meld & evmux
Every good sports talk show has a rundown — and the best ones put it on screen. The Topics Panel renders your talking points as a broadcast-styled sidebar, and as the show moves you highlight the current topic live so viewers always know where you are and what's next. Updates travel over a realtime WebSocket connection, so the overlay reacts instantly — no refresh, no delay.
This guide takes you from sign-up to a live, remote-controlled topics sidebar in OBS, with images, audio stings and scheduled videos per topic.
What you'll need
- OBS Studio, Streamlabs, Meld, evmux or XSplit
- A StreamSlayers plan with Topics Panel — 4-day free trial
Copy your overlay URL
Hit COPY at the top of the settings page. The recommended browser source size is 360 × 1080 — a vertical strip down one side of your scene.
Add it to OBS
- Sources → + → Browser, name it "Topics".
- Paste the URL.
- Set Width 360, Height 1080, click OK, and drag it to the side of your layout you want the rundown on.
Configure the panel
In Panel Settings, set your header text ("TODAY'S TOPICS" by default) and optional subtitle or branding logo, pick left/center/right position, panel width, and in/out transitions. The Show Topics Panel toggle is your master on/off switch for the overlay.
Add your talking points
Switch to the Topics tab. Each topic gets a title, optional subtitle, an optional image or GIF, an optional audio sting that plays when the topic is highlighted, scheduled videos that fire N seconds into the topic, and even an auto-graphic from the Graphics app. Add up to 15 per show.
Run the show live
During the stream, click Highlight on the topic you're discussing — it lights up on the overlay instantly via WebSocket, plays its audio sting, and triggers any scheduled videos or linked graphics. Set a duration per topic to auto-advance, or drive everything manually from this page, the Command Center, or Stream Deck keys.
Troubleshooting
The panel doesn't show in OBS. Confirm the browser source URL is current and the Show Topics Panel toggle is on.
Highlights feel delayed. They shouldn't — updates are pushed over WebSocket. If your network blocks WebSockets the overlay falls back to polling; check firewall/proxy settings on the streaming PC.
Audio sting doesn't play. Make sure "Control audio via OBS" is configured how you want on the browser source, and the OBS audio mixer isn't muting the source.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does the Topics Panel actually do on stream?
It renders a broadcast-styled sidebar listing your show's talking points. As you work through the show you highlight the current topic live — viewers always know what you're discussing and what's coming next.
Do topic changes appear instantly?
Yes — the panel is driven over a realtime WebSocket connection, so highlighting a topic, adding one mid-show or hiding the panel happens on the overlay instantly, with no refresh.
Can topics have images, audio or video?
Yes. Each topic can carry an image or GIF, an audio sting that plays when you highlight it, and scheduled videos that trigger a set number of seconds after the topic goes live.
What size browser source do I need?
360×1080 is the recommended size — a vertical sidebar. You can position it left, center or right and adjust the width to fit your scene layout.
How many topics can I have?
Up to 15 topic slots per show, each with its own title, subtitle, media and duration.
READY TO PUT TOPICS PANEL ON YOUR STREAM?
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