Yule log ratings were down this year

The novelty seems to be wearing off the odd American creation of the televised yule log. At least in Los Angeles, says TV Guide editor Michael Schneider, at his personal blog Franklin Avenue. He gives credit to WPIX in New York for starting the yule log-on-TV tradition, and remembers when it came to the LA airwaves in 2004.

According to this year's ratings, KTLA won the televised head-to-head Yule Log race from 4-10 a.m. on Christmas morning, averaging 96,000 viewers. KCAL averaged 46,000 viewers. Both were down from last year, when KTLA averaged 103,000 viewers and KCAL averaged 63,000 viewers.

KCAL's viewership peaked with 110,000 viewers from 12:15-12:30 a.m. (second in the time period) and 111,000 viewers from 8:45-9:00 a.m.; KTLA's viewership peaked with 207,000 viewers from 8:15-8:30 a.m.

KCAL (which first brought the tradition to Los Angeles in 2004) aired its Yule Log starting at midnight as Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Day, and continued the tradition until 10 a.m. KTLA ran its log from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m.

KTLA and KCAL face more competition these days for Yule Log supremacy, as the televised image of a crackling fire is now available all over the place, including on demand and online.

I know — the wingnuts can blame this too on their imaginary war on Christmas by Hollywood or the left or whoever the designated bogeyman is this week.

Previously on LA Observed:
It's a KCAL Christmas