Play active sequence in Program Monitor

Last updated on Apr 1, 2026

Learn to use playback controls and keyboard shortcuts to preview your assembled clips in real time in Adobe Premiere.

The Program Monitor displays the active sequence from your Timeline panel, allowing you to preview your edit as you assemble and refine clips. Unlike the Source Monitor, which plays individual clips, the Program Monitor shows your complete sequence with all edits, transitions, and effects applied.

Use the Program Monitor to preview your sequence during editing, review timing and pacing, and check transitions between clips. The monitor includes transport controls similar to a video deck, with customizable buttons and keyboard shortcuts for efficient playback control. Before playing a sequence, ensure the Program Monitor is active. A blue border indicates the selected monitor.

Playback controls appear along the bottom of the Program Monitor by default. You can customize these buttons using the Button Editor icon.

Play your sequence

Select the Program Monitor panel to activate it. A blue border appears around the panel when active.

Press Space or L to begin playback from the current playhead position.

Program Monitor showing the Play-Stop Toggle button used to play or pause the active sequence.
Use the Play-Stop Toggle button in the Program Monitor to play or pause the active sequence.

Press Space or K to stop playback.

To control playback speed, use the J-K-L shuttle keys. Press J to play in reverse, K to stop or modify playback speed, and L to play forward. Press these keys multiple times to increase speed, or example, press L twice to play forward faster, or press L and K together to play forward slowly.