What’s a Yule Log (& Why Does it Have a Channel)?
A Yule Log is a specially chosen log burned in a hearth during winter, a tradition that dates back centuries in Europe.
The Yule Log fireplace channel became popular in North America when WPIX first broadcasted a burning Yule Log in 1966, paired with classic holiday music.
After running for 23 years and being canceled in 1990, the Yule Log returned to TV in 2001 and inspired numerous variations across channels and streaming platforms.
These fireplace channels often include Christmas music or crackling fire sounds and typically range from one to ten hours, offering an easy way to boost the holiday spirit in your home.
Now, let’s take a look at the fireplace channels available to you.
Want a real fireplace, but can’t have one in your house or apartment? Check out our electric fireplace recommendations.
Which Channels Have the Yule Log?
As of November 2024, here’s an updated guide to accessing Yule Log or fireplace channels across TV providers and streaming platforms:
Note: many channels start broadcasting the yule log fireplace starting in December, but there are options to get year-round viewing.
DirecTV
With DirecTV, there are three ways to watch the Yule log on your television: Pay-Per-View, On-Demand, and streaming online.
- Pay-Per-View: Channel 165 offers the Yule Log
- On-Demand: Access the Yule Log on channel 1000
- Online Streaming: Stream via directv.com
Spectrum
- Ambient Channel: Spectrum TV features a Yule Log on the Ambient Channel. To access it, go to TV Shows, then View All. There, you will find a collection of holiday videos with Christmas music playing in the background.
- On-Demand: As with other cable providers, you can also access the Yule log On-Demand on channel 1000.
Dish
- Channels: 303, 304, and 306 (previously: 455 and 456)
- On-Demand: You can also watch a wood-burning fire on the Fireplace Channel, which is available on demand on channel 100.
Xfinity (Comcast)
Channels: Comcast customers can watch fireplace videos on channels 507 and 857.
The Yule Log program can be found under Top Picks > Yule Log & More (or Yule Log & More HD). Comcast offers standard definition, HD, and 3D versions of The Yule Log.
Comcast also has 26 holiday fireplace variations available On-Demand! Some of these include a classic log-in-fireplace, winter-themed scenes, Santa Radar, and Yule Dog.
On-Demand Steps:
- Select On-Demand
- Select the Holiday Moviethon Folder
- Select Yule Log
- Select the More folder for 26 other versions
You can also search for a fireplace channel on Xfinity by using the remote’s guide grid, number keys, or alphanumeric keypad.
The Yule Log can also be found occasionally on channels 857 and 507.
For another holiday bonus, Comcast also has Christmas-inspired screensavers!
U-Verse (Now AT&T TV)
While U-Verse by AT&T used to have a Yule log program on channel 400, it was canceled a few years ago. Here’s how you can find it in 2024:
- Channel: The Yule Log is available on AT&T U-verse on channel 1800.
- On-Demand: It’s also available On-Demand on channel 1000.
Verizon Fios TV
Verizon offers two holiday fireplace variations: one with Christmas music and one with crackling fire sounds. These are both available On-Demand. Channel 224 has a fireplace showing, but it’s in SD. However, there’s a method to get HD.
Find the holiday fireplace On-Demand with Verizon:
- Go to Menu
- Go to On-Demand
- Go to TV shows by genre
- Go to Ambient (or Ambient HD)
- There you will find the program listed either as Fireplace or Yule Log.
Verizon’s streaming platform, Fios, also has some Yule log options, including Country Christmas, Kittens, and Chanukah Night.
Bell
If you have Bell Satellite TV, go to channel 285 for The Fireplace. A different show, The Yuletide Fireplace, can be found on channel 1060.
- Fibe TV: Channel 1539
- Bell Satellite: Channel 285 or 1060
- Bell Aliant: Channel 557
- Bell Fibe TV App: Channel 539
Rogers
Rogers TV has a year-round fireplace show on channel 204 (previously 165 and 265).
Shaw
- Legacy Cable: Channel 165 SD and 222 HD
- Ignite TV: Channel 199 HD
- Shaw Direct: 299 SD and 955 HD
- Satellite: 298 HD
- Shaw TV: Channel 10 for 48 hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
The Shaw Fire Log is a beloved holiday broadcast that shows a wood fire crackling in a fireplace, with someone occasionally stoking the flames. Free of commercials, it offers a warm, uninterrupted viewing experience.
This tradition began in 1986 when a Capital Cable vice-president in Edmonton wanted a way to fill air time that allowed employees more family time. The original fireplace belonged to one of the show’s local programmers, adding a personal touch to the cozy scene.
WPIX
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that WPIX still broadcasts the original Yule Log recording (from 1966) to the New York City area by satellite on channel 11. The video quality doesn’t hold a candle to some of the newer versions it inspired, but the nostalgia is good.
Other Ways To Turn Your TV Into a Virtual Fireplace
If you have joined other cord-cutters by leaving traditional satellite and cable TV in favor of internet-based streaming services, there are still plenty of options to turn your screen into a virtual fireplace this holiday season.
Whether you use a computer or a smart TV, apps like Netflix and Disney+ have you covered. Here’s how to find festive fireplaces on the most popular streaming services.
Netflix
Netflix has three 1-hour versions of their holiday fireplace special, Fireplace for Your Home.
The original displays a full-length video (not a looped video like the original Yule Log) with Yule logs burning in the fireplace to the tune of Christmas music.
The Birchwood Edition features attractive birch branches, which are smaller and need to be replaced more frequently. This version does not have music.
The Classic Edition is similar to the original because it uses large Yule-style logs in the fire, but like the birchwood version, it also lacks music.
The easiest way to find Fireplace for Your Home is through the search function.
- Go to Search
- Type in “fireplace”
- Select Fireplace for Your Home
Here’s the direct link to Fireplace for Your Home on Netflix.
YouTube
YouTube has countless fireplace and Yule log videos available all year long. They vary in length and definition.
Some have Christmas music while others do not. You may need to be selective about which video you pick, as many YouTube channels now have ads placed before and during their videos, which will ruin the effect of having a fireplace on your screen.
Here’s how to use YouTube to turn your screen into a virtual fireplace:
- Go to youtube.com or the YouTube app on your smart TV
- Go to Search
- Type in “yule log” or “fireplace”
- Select a video to play from the search results. The most popular results will be multiple hours long and will be in HD.
- To check the video for advertisements, hover your cursor over the control panel at the bottom of the video. Ad placement will be marked with little dividers along the video progress bar.
- Set the video to full screen by selecting the icon on the bottom right of the video’s controls. If you are using a computer, you can also press F on your keyboard to go full screen.
To save you the search, here’s one of my favorite fireplace videos on YouTube:
Pro-Tip: If you have a 4k TV, look for a fireplace YouTube video in 4k resolution. Make sure to manually select this resolution in the settings, so it’s not throttled down. The video quality makes a huge difference.
Amazon Prime
Amazon has a 10-hour Yule Log stream called Yule Log Christmas Fireplace 10 Hours. There’s also another, shorter video (which is still over 4 hours) with piano music called Christmas Fireplace: Virtual Yule Log stream. These can both be found easily by searching “Christmas Fireplace” in the search bar.
Some other options such as Crackling Fireplace and Fireplace, but they don’t appear to be available in the US.
Disney+
For families with younger kids, Disney+ has a holiday fireplace video set in Arendelle Castle from the Frozen movies.
With movie details like the royal family crest above the fireplace, this Christmas Yule log video is a great compromise between kids who are obsessed with Frozen and their parents who want a relaxing virtual fireplace.
Here’s the link to the Arendelle Castle Yule Log video on Disney+.
Hulu
For fans of How to Train Your Dragon, Hulu has a themed fireplace that features characters from these movies, called Snoggletog Log. You can join Hiccup, Astrid, and Toothless in their cozy home as a fire roars in their fireplace.
Find this video by searching for “Snoggletog Log”, “How to Train Your Dragon”, or “Fireplace” on Hulu.
PIX11.com
To watch the original broadcast, go to pix11.com, WPIX’s website. They make the video accessible every year around Christmas time.
Happy Holidays!
Need More Help?
You can always ask us here at Fireplace Tips, but you should know the other resources available to you! Here are the resources we recommend.
- Chimney Safety Institute of North America (CSIA): The CSIA is your BEST resource for fireplace and chimney safety at home. They’re a non-profit governed by a volunteer board of directors dedicated to the education, training, and certification of chimney and industry related professionals.
- Self-Sufficiency and Off-Grid: If you’re like me and passionate about off-grid and self-sufficiency, see my number 1 resource—Abundance Plus. Check out their Frugal Homesteading Course on growing 90% of your own food. Get 7-days free and 10% off with the code: TYLER10