Want to watch a Yule log burn on TV? Here’s where to do it

Christmas not complete without film of a burning Yule log playing on your TV? The annual holiday tradition is back this year, but with a few modern variations.

The annual Yule log film began in 1966 when New York station WPIX first aired a three-hour film of logs burning in a fireplace on Christmas Eve. Ratings were surprisingly good, so the next year the film was re-aired, and then re-aired again. “The Yule Log� airing became a WPIX tradition in New York, where many apartment dwellers had no fireplace of their own, but eventually ended in 1989. It returned in 2001, and in 2004, Tribune Broadcasting began showing an HD version of the burning log on its stations nationwide.

While the traditional “Yule Log� will indeed air on WGN from midnight to 4 a.m. PST on Christmas Day, there are several new options for the burning log that generates no warmth.

Netflix is currently streaming its own fireplace online, so you’re free to binge-watch as much burning wood as you want between now and the holiday. And to generate excitement, it has even created a trailer (viewable above) and even a behind-the-scenes video (viewable here).

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The kid-centric Hub Network is planning to air “My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Yule Log,� an animated yule log in a fireplace from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. PST, featuring cameo appearances from various Hub Network animated stars, including Princess Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. Fans can also access the animated epic via computers and smartphones through Hub’s YouTube channel.

Time Warner Cable is offering customers the Yule log for free on demand in SD, HD and even 3D. Additionally, Time Warner Cable is offering two additional screen fillers, “Winter Green,� showing a snowy forest, and “Snowman,� featuring Frosty toughing out a winter storm.

Comcast is also offering its own Yule log on demand in both standard and HD versions.

Locally, KCAL-TV Channel 9 will air the “Yule Log� at midnight PST on Christmas Eve and again at 6 a.m. PST. KTLA-TV Channel 5 will also air the log beginning at 4 a.m. PST.

Meanwhile, the “Yule Log’s� original home will show the burning log from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST on Christmas, but will also stream it on its website, PIX11.com from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. PST on Christmas Eve and from 6 a.m. to noon PST and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Day.