Media Advisory: Comcast Brings Back the Yule Log in High Definition

A Staple Holiday Tradition Revamped For the 21st Century

Philadelphia, PA - December 5, 2007

WHAT: The cultural viewing phenomenon of the Yule Log is being brought back to homes around the nation again this holiday season … in high definition (HD)! Based on last year’s resounding HD viewer demand, Comcast, the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, is making the Yule Log available on its HD On Demand service through Jan. 4. Customers can watch the Yule Log any time, whether playing it as the backdrop for a weekend holiday party or on Christmas morning as families open their presents.

Joining a host of other time-honored holiday traditions like watching “It’s a Wonderful Life,” drinking eggnog or going holiday shopping, television viewers have been entertained by the Yule Log’s cozy glow and holiday music soundtrack since the first version aired in 1966.

Now families can enjoy a clearer picture of the burning log from a variety of angles, courtesy of their HDTV and HD digital cable service – blending old traditions seamlessly with new technology. Comcast, the first service provider to carry the Yule Log on HD On Demand, features a newly-produced version of the Yule Log filmed in 1080i picture and Dolby 5.1 sound. In fact, the HD version is so vivid, holiday guests may think the television is throwing off heat.

Last year alone, Comcast customers viewed the Yule Log in HD VOD more than twice the number of times as the standard-definition version, which also is available on Comcast’s On Demand service.

WHEN: Airing through Jan. 4

WHERE: Available on Comcast’s On Demand service, in the HD On Demand section under “Yule Log.”

CONTACT: Tania Scheer
PainePR, on behalf of Comcast
(949) 809-6782
tscheer@painepr.com

http://www.comcast.com/About/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=708

I love it when a company does something smart

I was happy that I dumped Comcast for FIOS but now that I will not be able to watch the yule log on demand in HD I regret my decision. Sadly I will be forced to use my real fireplace instead. My fireplace is not quite as large as my HDTV so now my family will have to endure a limited viewing area. Surprisingly, the fireplace generates more heat than the tv without consuming any electricity. My TV can only display 1080i (and likely not every pixel) but the fireplace provides me a full 1080p experience.

Yippee...Hi-Def crap...;)

Yahoo! Let the merriment begin!

cool! the yule log is a great tradition!

This is also on Time Warner's HD on demand.

This brings new meaning to the term, "burn-in".

Is it going to be that slow-mo fire that was on the now-defunct INHD last year? I prefer my fires real-time, thankyouverymuch. :)

In fact, the HD version is so vivid, holiday guests may think the television is throwing off heat.
If someone has a plasma screen or a tube HD set, it really will be... ;)

Love the yule log. The only downside is how it pans all around.

On the projector it looks like my entire wall is on fire. :)

Oh lord. This thread makes me keep thinking of that old chestnut:

Q: What did Spock find in Kirk's toilet?
A: The Captain's Log.:eek::D

If someone has a plasma screen or a tube HD set, it really will be... ;)

:) i even fired up some of that fir incense to give the smoky smell...

it looks great on my kuro... :) it's kinda silly i guess, but i really am enjoying them having this... it makes a real nice background while surfing or reading...

it really is amazing when you think about how far we've come with television in such a short time... i can remember in my yute (not THAT long ago) watching the yule log and it sure wasn't like this...

I only wish they'd get rid of the music.

I only wish they'd get rid of the music.

Oddly, my audio system has a volume control. :) That said, I like the crackling etc in the background.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Thanks Comcast for the HD Yule Log...

Thanks Comcast! Haha, I love having the yule log ready at anytime ondemand. :)

Oddly, my audio system has a volume control. :) That said, I like the crackling etc in the background.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Thanks Comcast for the HD Yule Log...

Crackling yes, music no. Duh!:D

I only wish they'd get rid of the music.
That's where a nice 3.0 mix would be nice. Stereo music left and right and crackling fire in the center. Just kill the stereo mix and listen to the center channel.

Please pardon my incredulity at the fact that Comcast is charging $4.99 for the frickin' yule log. Ho ho ho! Meeeeeeeeerry Christmas! That'll be five dollars, please.

Disgusting.

That's where a nice 3.0 mix would be nice. Stereo music left and right and crackling fire in the center. Just kill the stereo mix and listen to the center channel.

Or have 2 versions; with and without the music.

Please pardon my incredulity at the fact that Comcast is charging $4.99 for the frickin' yule log. Ho ho ho! Meeeeeeeeerry Christmas! That'll be five dollars, please.

Disgusting.

It's free here.

You can watch or record it for free on MOJO Christmas day.

Please pardon my incredulity at the fact that Comcast is charging $4.99 for the frickin' yule log. Ho ho ho! Meeeeeeeeerry Christmas! That'll be five dollars, please.

Disgusting.

ummm... it's free... at least here...

Might have to cancel FiosTV and resubscribe to Comcast to get this!!!



...err, maybe not.

Is it going to be that slow-mo fire that was on the now-defunct INHD last year? I prefer my fires real-time, thankyouverymuch. :)

That's exactly what I don't like about it. Despite pounding down my speciality eggnog, I do know the fire isn't real! But for cryin' out loud, show the stupid fire in real time.

ummm... it's free... at least here...

It was free here (Atlanta) last year as well. But last night it was showing as premium content, $4.99. Hopefully it's just a mistake that will be remedied soon. Because honestly, it makes them look very Scroogian.

Oh well. I have a real fireplace, albeit with gas logs, so no crackle. But it also doesn't emit Perry Como, so that's a plus.

This is also on Time Warner's HD on demand.

That's funny, Melinda Witmer (Any TWC HD customer knows her) said "I don't think people are going to care if we are carrying 15 channels that show a log burning just because it's in HD."

I really hate TWC... alot....

No Yule log whatsoever on Comcast In Demand here in Frederick MD, just outside of DC and Baltimore. Dang it!

No Yule log whatsoever on Comcast In Demand here in Frederick MD, just outside of DC and Baltimore. Dang it!

Not here either in Houston. Comcast said that we'd have their on-demand system operating by end of year citywide, but only one community so far has got it, the rest of us are on the old very slim pickings Time-Warner system.

Comcast said they're having problems with the system, and delayed further rollout.

Still $4.99 here as of yesterday.

I'd call and complain, but I don't want to be the guy who actually takes time to call and complain about a TV yule log.

Still $4.99 here as of yesterday.

I'd call and complain, but I don't want to be the guy who actually takes time to call and complain about a TV yule log.

I moved to D*, but the Yule Log is pretty cool. I'll stop and pick up one of the DVDs and then tune my D* receiver to XM-Holly.

I would NEVER pay $4.99 for it OnDemand, what a crock of ****

No way would I pay $4.99 for that! Free here in Philly!

But it was cool to put on in the background while the G/F was in town and we opened our presents in front of an HD fire:D

I'm happy to report the HD Yule Log is now free in Atlanta.

Truly, we have achieved peace in our time.

I'm happy to report the HD Yule Log is now free in Atlanta.

Truly, we have achieved peace in our time.

:D comcast must have paid off the skyscraper early... :p

:D comcast must have paid off the skyscraper early... :p
That's only because they didn't take a cue from Fox and let Bruce Willis blow it up first... ;)

I know everyone is going to check out the HD Yule Log on MOJO HD today.

If you are checking it out, help spread the word that it on the air by adding yourself to the very homegrown facebook group called Dueling Yule Logs (even if you drop the group after only being in it for a day).

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6892239006

And check out CNN's Jeanne Moos video about the dueling Yule Logs.

VOD shows it as being 95minutes, but MojoHD.com says its an hour. I want to record the whole thing straight through, so anyone know what the actual time is?

In Los Angeles, KCAL 9 is doing a local version of the Yule Log in HD, with a digital simulcast of local radio station KOST 103.5 (which has been running Christmas music all month). It's running now from 6am to 10am. It's the best sounding radio broadcast on TV, better than HD Radio.

You know, maybe it's just me, but I feel a little weird watching the Mojo version.

Best explanation I can give for it is the closeups of the logs on a 45" are so much larger than life (I can only imagine what they're like on a 63" or projection screen!), which kind of makes it more like watching a pier burn or something...

Are they doing this again this year? Thanks!

All the hard work is done, They just need to put it on the menu again.

I'm still not sure of the DD5.1 value with a Christmas Yule Log. I don't know about you, but if I heard fire pops and snaps behind me when I was watching the fireplace, I would get a bit worried.

I have Dish. As a result, I had to watch the HD-lite version of the Yule Log "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" on the Food Network last night instead.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1091655&highlight=yule