Chris Musial, VP and general manager of WBBZ-TV, has announced that, for the sixth year in a row, "Your Hometown MeTV Station" will air a holiday "Yule Log" from 8 p.m. Christmas Eve through 7 p.m. Christmas Day. The "Yule Log" video of a roaring fireplace is set to holiday music.
The Christmas "Yule Log" is sponsored exclusively by Russell Salvatore, of Russell's Steaks, Chops, and More, and Salvatore's Grand Hotel, as his Christmas gift to Western New York viewers. Salvatore is a Buffalo icon in the hospitality industry, and a philanthropist who has donated millions to hometown causes over the years. His restaurant, Russell's Steaks, Chops, and More has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Steakhouses in America in the Open Table Diners' Choice Awards.
WBBZ-TV Creative Director Joe Maulucci has created a unique mix of classic Christmas songs with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, and Bing Crosby, along with hometown favorites The Goo Goo Dolls, Lance Diamond and Pat Shea. The playlist is at
www.wbbz.tv.
The "Yule Log" was created in 1966 by Fred M. Thrower, president and CEO of WPIX Inc. He was inspired by an animated
Coca-Cola commercial a year earlier that showed
Santa Claus at a fireplace. Thrower envisioned this television program as a televised Christmas gift to those residents of New York who lived in apartments and homes without fireplaces.
This also provided time for employees of the television station to stay home with their families, instead of working for the usual morning
news program. The program was both a critical and ratings success, and, by popular demand, it was rebroadcast for 23 consecutive years.
Station owner Phil Arno commented, "Thanks to Mr. Salvatore for once again supporting this unique Christmas tradition. We hope everyone gathers around our TV fireplace to enjoy the sounds of the season. On behalf of everyone at WBBZ-TV, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"
WBBZ is seen throughout Western New York. For more information, visit
www.wbbz.tv or "Like" WBBZ-TV on Facebook and follow the conversation @WBBZ on Twitter.
