diff --git a/crates/transcript/src/render.rs b/crates/transcript/src/render.rs
index b1b26efa34..6bb3392014 100644
--- a/crates/transcript/src/render.rs
+++ b/crates/transcript/src/render.rs
@@ -71,11 +71,11 @@ pub fn render_transcript_segments(
             .map(|started_at| started_at - base_started_at)
             .unwrap_or(0);
 
-        let (words, mut assignments) =
+        let (words, user_assignments) =
             offset_transcript_data(transcript.words, transcript.assignments, offset);
-        let channel_assignments =
+        let mut assignments =
             channel_assignments_for_participants(&participant_human_ids, self_human_id.as_deref());
-        assignments.extend(channel_assignments);
+        assignments.extend(user_assignments);
 
         let segments = build_segments(&words, &[], &assignments, Some(&segment_options));
         all_segments.extend(segments);
@@ -464,6 +464,40 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(segments[1].text, "remote more");
     }
 
+    #[test]
+    fn user_assignment_overrides_auto_channel_assignment() {
+        let segments = render_transcript_segments(RenderTranscriptRequest {
+            transcripts: vec![RenderTranscriptInput {
+                started_at: Some(0),
+                words: vec![
+                    word("w1", " hello", 0, 100, 0),
+                    word("w2", " remote", 120, 220, 1),
+                ],
+                assignments: vec![channel_assignment("override", ChannelProfile::RemoteParty)],
+            }],
+            participant_human_ids: vec!["self".to_string(), "auto-remote".to_string()],
+            self_human_id: Some("self".to_string()),
+            humans: vec![
+                RenderTranscriptHuman {
+                    human_id: "self".to_string(),
+                    name: "Me".to_string(),
+                },
+                RenderTranscriptHuman {
+                    human_id: "auto-remote".to_string(),
+                    name: "Auto".to_string(),
+                },
+                RenderTranscriptHuman {
+                    human_id: "override".to_string(),
+                    name: "Override".to_string(),
+                },
+            ],
+        });
+
+        assert_eq!(segments.len(), 2);
+        assert_eq!(segments[0].speaker_label, "Me");
+        assert_eq!(segments[1].speaker_label, "Override");
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn keeps_missing_started_at_rows_anchored_at_zero() {
         let segments = render_transcript_segments(RenderTranscriptRequest {
diff --git a/crates/transcript/src/segments/collect.rs b/crates/transcript/src/segments/collect.rs
index deb482f75c..83b5af1b71 100644
--- a/crates/transcript/src/segments/collect.rs
+++ b/crates/transcript/src/segments/collect.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 use crate::types::{ChannelProfile, Segment, SegmentBuilderOptions, SegmentKey, SegmentWord};
 
 use super::model::{ProtoSegment, ResolvedWordFrame, SpeakerIdentity, SpeakerState};
-use super::speakers::assign_complete_channel_human_id;
+use super::speakers::assign_channel_human_id;
 
 pub(super) fn collect_segments(
     frames: Vec<ResolvedWordFrame>,
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ pub(super) fn propagate_identity(segments: &mut Vec<ProtoSegment>, speaker_state
     let mut last_kept_idx: Option<usize> = None;
 
     for read_index in 0..segments.len() {
-        assign_complete_channel_human_id(&mut segments[read_index], speaker_state);
+        assign_channel_human_id(&mut segments[read_index], speaker_state);
 
         let should_merge = last_kept_key.as_ref().is_some_and(|last_key| {
             *last_key == segments[read_index].key && segments[read_index].key.has_speaker_identity()
diff --git a/crates/transcript/src/segments/speakers.rs b/crates/transcript/src/segments/speakers.rs
index 7bb6d7fea9..e3d7493681 100644
--- a/crates/transcript/src/segments/speakers.rs
+++ b/crates/transcript/src/segments/speakers.rs
@@ -85,15 +85,12 @@ pub(super) fn resolve_identities(
         .collect()
 }
 
-pub(super) fn assign_complete_channel_human_id(segment: &mut ProtoSegment, state: &SpeakerState) {
+pub(super) fn assign_channel_human_id(segment: &mut ProtoSegment, state: &SpeakerState) {
     if segment.key.speaker_human_id.is_some() {
         return;
     }
 
     let channel = segment.key.channel;
-    if !state.complete_channels.contains(&channel) {
-        return;
-    }
 
     if let Some(human_id) = state.human_id_by_channel.get(&channel) {
         segment.key = SegmentKey {
@@ -120,7 +117,6 @@ fn apply_identity_rules(
     }
 
     if identity.human_id.is_none()
-        && state.complete_channels.contains(&word.channel)
         && let Some(human_id) = state.human_id_by_channel.get(&word.channel)
     {
         identity.human_id = Some(human_id.clone());
diff --git a/crates/transcript/src/segments/tests.rs b/crates/transcript/src/segments/tests.rs
index aa97062e2d..21c59fdf55 100644
--- a/crates/transcript/src/segments/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/transcript/src/segments/tests.rs
@@ -405,6 +405,16 @@ fn propagates_remote_party_identity_when_channel_marked_complete() {
     assert_eq!(result[0].key.speaker_human_id.as_deref(), Some("remote"));
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn applies_channel_assignment_even_without_complete_channel() {
+    let finals = vec![fw("0", 0, 100, 1), fw("1", 200, 300, 1)];
+    let assignments = vec![channel_human("remote", ChannelProfile::RemoteParty)];
+    // Default options only mark DirectMic as complete, not RemoteParty
+    let result = build_segments(&finals, &[], &assignments, None);
+    assert_eq!(result.len(), 1);
+    assert_eq!(result[0].key.speaker_human_id.as_deref(), Some("remote"));
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn partial_word_ignores_its_own_runtime_hint_and_keeps_previous_segment_key() {
     let finals = vec![fw_si("0", 0, 100, 0, 0)];