# Cross-channel media stream relay (/en/realtime-media/broadcast-streaming/build/connect-across-channels/cross-channel-media-relay/react-native)

> For AI agents: see the complete documentation index at [llms.txt](/llms.txt).

Some special use-cases require cross-channel media stream forwarding functionality. Video SDK enables you to relay the media stream of a host, from a source channel, to multiple target channels simultaneously. This functionality allows you to realize the following interactions:

* The hosts publish and receive each other's audio and video streams while engaging in *cross-channel* real-time interaction.

* The audience receive all audio and video streams from hosts and watch multiple hosts interact at the same time.

Due to its real-time and interactive nature, this feature enriches live broadcasts and game-play, It is especially suitable for live scenes such as co-hosting PK and online choir. It provides the audience with a better viewing experience, while bringing more traffic and revenue to the hosts.

      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
  
      
    <CalloutContainer type="info">
      <CalloutDescription>
        Cross-channel media stream relay is included in Agora's policy of [10,000 free minutes](/en/api-reference/faq/account/billing_free) every month. For usage beyond the free quota, please refer to [Pricing](../../reference/pricing).
      </CalloutDescription>
    </CalloutContainer>

    ## Prerequisites [#prerequisites-7]

    * Ensure that you have implemented the [SDK quickstart](../../index) in your project.
    * Contact [technical support](https://agora-ticket.agora.io/) to activate the cross-channel media stream relay feature.

    ## Implement cross-channel media stream relay [#implement-cross-channel-media-stream-relay-7]

    The following figure shows the workflow you implement to facilitate cross-channel media stream relay:

    ![CrossChannelMediaStreamForwarding](https://assets-docs.agora.io/images/video-sdk/cross-channel-forwarding.svg)

    To implement cross-channel media stream relay in your app, take the following steps:

    1. Start cross-channel media stream relay

    After joining a channel, call `startOrUpdateChannelMediaRelay` to configure the source and target channel information and start forwarding a media stream.

    ```typescript
    const srcChannelId = "srcChannel";
    const destChannelId = "destChannel";
    const uid = 0;
    const token = "insert-your-token";

    // Start cross-channel media stream forwarding
    rtcEngine.startOrUpdateChannelMediaRelay({
      // Configure source channel information srcInfo
      srcInfo: {
        channelName: srcChannelId,
        uid: uid,
        token: token,
      },
      // Configure the target channel information destInfos
      destInfos: [
        {
          channelName: destChannelId,
          token: '', // A token to join the target channel
          uid: 0, // SDK randomly assigns a uid
        },
      ],
      // Number of target channels
      destCount: 1,
    });
    ```

    2. Update media stream relay channels

    To forward the stream to multiple target channels or exit the current forwarding channel after staring channel media relay, call `startOrUpdateChannelMediaRelay` again to add or remove target channels for forwarding.

    <CalloutContainer type="info">
      <CalloutDescription>
        The updated configuration completely **replaces** the previous configuration.
      </CalloutDescription>
    </CalloutContainer>

    3. Pause or resume media stream relay

    To pause forwarding the media stream to all target channels, call `pauseAllChannelMediaRelay`.

    ```typescript
    rtcEngine.pauseAllChannelMediaRelay();
    ```

    To resume forwarding the media stream to all target channels, call `resumeAllChannelMediaRelay`.

    ```typescript
    rtcEngine.resumeAllChannelMediaRelay();
    ```

    4. Stop cross-channel media stream relay

    To stop forwarding the media stream, call `stopChannelMediaRelay`. When forwarding stops, the host exits all target channels.

    ```typescript
    rtcEngine.stopChannelMediaRelay();
    ```

    <CalloutContainer type="info">
      <CalloutDescription>
        If this method fails, call `leaveChannel` to leave the channel and stop cross-channel media stream relay.
      </CalloutDescription>
    </CalloutContainer>

    5. Monitor cross-channel media stream status

    During cross-channel media stream relay, the SDK reports changes in the status of media stream relay through the `onChannelMediaRelayStateChanged` callback. Implement the relevant business logic based on the [status codes](#status-codes).

    ```typescript
    // Register event callback
    rtcEngine.registerEventHandler(
      onChannelMediaRelayStateChanged: (state: ChannelMediaRelayState, code: ChannelMediaRelayError) => {
        console.log(`Cross-channel media stream forwarding status：${state}，Error Code：${code}`);
      },
    );
    ```

    ### Development considerations [#development-considerations-7]

    * In live broadcast use cases, only users with the role of host can call `startOrUpdateChannelMediaRelay` to initiate cross-channel media stream forwarding.

    * Call `startOrUpdateChannelMediaRelay` **after** successfully joining a channel; otherwise, the method call fails.

    * Within a single channel, multiple hosts can forward media streams. Each host can forward a media stream to up to six target channels.

    * This feature does not support String-type `uid`. To use cross-channel co-hosting, you must also use an int-type `uid` in regular co-hosting. Otherwise, cross-channel co-hosting will not work.

    ## Reference [#reference-7]

    This section contains content that completes the information on this page, or points you to documentation that explains other aspects to this product.

    ### Status codes [#status-codes-6]

    The main media stream forwarding states and their corresponding status codes are as follows:

    | Media stream forwarding status                                                                                                                                                                              | status code                             |
    | :---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------- |
    | The source channel starts transmitting data to the target channel.                                                                                                                                          | `RelayStateRunning`(2) and `RelayOk`(0) |
    | Cross-channel media stream forwarding encounters an exception. You can troubleshoot based on the [error code](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/enum_channelmediarelayerror.html). | `RelayStateFailure`(3)                  |
    | Media stream forwarding has stopped.                                                                                                                                                                        | `RelayStateIdle`(0) and `RelayOk`(0)    |

    ### Sample project [#sample-project-5]

    Agora provides an open-source [ChannelMediaRelay](https://github.com/AgoraIO-Extensions/react-native-agora/blob/main/example/src/examples/advanced/ChannelMediaRelay/ChannelMediaRelay.tsx) sample project for your reference. Download the project or view the source code for a more detailed example.

    ### API reference [#api-reference-7]

    * [`startOrUpdateChannelMediaRelay`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_irtcengine.html#api_irtcengine_startorupdatechannelmediarelay)
    * [`stopChannelMediaRelay`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_irtcengine.html#api_irtcengine_stopchannelmediarelay)
    * [`pauseAllChannelMediaRelay`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_irtcengine.html#api_irtcengine_pauseallchannelmediarelay)
    * [`resumeAllChannelMediaRelay`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_irtcengine.html#api_irtcengine_resumeallchannelmediarelay)
    * [`onChannelMediaRelayStateChanged`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_irtcengineeventhandler.html#callback_irtcengineeventhandler_onchannelmediarelaystatechanged)
    * [`ChannelMediaRelayConfiguration`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_channelmediarelayconfiguration.html)
    * [`ChannelMediaInfo`](https://api-ref.agora.io/en/video-sdk/react-native/4.x/API/class_channelmediainfo.html)

    
  
      
  
