The idea of The Yule Log was originally conceived by then General Manager Fred Thrower as a gift to those New Yorkers who lived in apartments and in homes without a fireplace. A Christmas message by WPIX-TV Vice President Richard N. Hughes usually preceded the program. The Yule Log ran from 1966 until 1989 when it was silenced by station management. In 2001 a group of faithful Yule Log fans successfully petitioned WPIX management to put it back on the air. In 2003 Tribune Broadcasting announced that in addition to being broadcast on WPIX, The Yule Log would be broadcast in additional U.S television markets on other Tribune owned television stations.