WPIX Yule Log Celebrates 45 Years On Dec. 25

It wouldn’t be a holiday in New York without the WPIX Yule Log. The famous film loop of a burning log in a hearth, has warmed the hearts of` viewers since it debuted on WPIX in 1966.

To celebrate the fabled fire stick’s 45th anniversary, WPIX will air The Yule Log (available in HD) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas morning, Dec. 25.

Viewers can follow the Yule Log on twitter @PIXYULELOG and become a fan of the Official Yule Log on facebook (PIXYuleLog).

In recent years, the Yule Log has been digitally remastered and fully restored. In 2001 the original film was color corrected and cleaned. In 2003, the Log was up-converted to high definition and WPIX now airs the Yule Log in HD.

In 2006, to celebrate the Log’s 40th anniversary, Lawrence F. “Chip” Arcuri and Joe Malzone, the creators of theyulelog.com, restored the audio of the Yule Log and in 2009, with the assistance of Arcuri, WPIX added a new fourth hour to the program, including 23 classic holiday songs.

The fourth hour leads off with Mantovani’s interpretation of Adeste Fideles, a classic that aired on the Yule Log in the late 1960’s; now restored to the program. The new hour adds nine artists including Bert Kaempfert, Mitch Miller, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone and Johnny Mathis.

In addition to WPIX, the Yule Log will be airing on the following Tribune Broadcasting Stations (all  times are for Dec. 25 and are shown in that city’s local time):

WXIN Indianapolis — 6-10 a.m.

WGN Chicago — 2-5 a.m.

WPHL Philadelphia — 7-11 a.m.

WDCW Washington — 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

KZJO Seattle — 7 a-11 a.m.

WSFL Miami — 9-11 a.m.

WPMT Harrisburg, Pa. — 5-10 a.m.

WXMI Grand Rapids, Mich. — 11-11:30 a.m.

KDVR Denver — 10-11 a.m. & 9:30-11 p.m.

St. Louis KPLR — 4-7 a.m.

KRCW Portland, Ore. will air the Yule Log for 24 hours straight on subchannel 32/2 starting at midnight on Dec. 24 and ending at midnight at the end of the holiday on Dec. 25.

KTXL Sacramento, Calif. will air the Yule Log on its subchannel 40.2 beginning at 8 p.m. on Dec. 24 through 8 a.m. on Dec. 25.

Antenna TV Network — 3-7 a.m. ET

Log merchandise can be found here.