Who Owns Atlanta News First? A Clear Guide for Atlanta Viewers

If you watch local TV in Atlanta, you’ve probably seen Atlanta News First on Channel 46 (or through its digital platforms) and wondered: who actually owns Atlanta News First? Knowing this helps you understand who shapes the newsroom’s budget, long‑term strategy, and some of the business decisions behind the coverage you see.

Here’s how it works for Atlanta specifically.

The Short Answer: Who Owns Atlanta News First?

Atlanta News First is owned by Gray Television, Inc.

• Parent company: Gray Television, Inc.
• Type of company: Publicly traded broadcast company (listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GTN)
• Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia

Gray Television owns and operates television stations across the United States, and Atlanta News First (formerly CBS46 / WGCL-TV) is one of its flagship properties, right here in Atlanta.

For local viewers, this means the Atlanta station you see on air is locally operated but backed by a large national media company headquartered in the same city.

How Atlanta News First Fits into Gray Television’s Network

Gray Television focuses heavily on local news and weather coverage in the markets where it owns stations. In Atlanta, that includes:

• Atlanta News First (the main local news brand)
• Related digital platforms and streaming content produced by the Atlanta newsroom

Because Gray is a broadcast group, it typically:

• Owns the station’s FCC license
• Manages technical operations (transmitter, studio facilities)
• Sets overall budgets and staffing levels
• Oversees branding decisions such as the name change from CBS46 to Atlanta News First

However, day‑to‑day editorial decisions—what stories to cover, who to interview, how to prioritize breaking news in Atlanta—are handled by the local news leadership and newsroom staff based in Atlanta.

Key Facts at a Glance

Here’s a simple reference if you just want the ownership basics:

Why Ownership Matters for Atlanta Viewers

If you live in Atlanta or are spending time here, knowing who owns Atlanta News First can help you understand a few things about your local media landscape.

1. Local accountability

Because Gray Television is headquartered in Atlanta, the company’s top executives operate in the same city as the station they own. For Atlanta residents, this can make it easier to:

• Recognize the company behind the station
• Understand how a large corporate owner connects to local coverage
• Provide feedback to both the station and the corporate office if needed

2. Resources and technology

As part of a large broadcast group, Atlanta News First may have access to:

• Shared national and regional reporting resources
• Weather technology and regional severe weather coverage tools
• Training and support common across multiple Gray-owned newsrooms

For viewers, this often shows up in:

• Expanded storm coverage during severe weather across metro Atlanta
• Access to national political or consumer stories, combined with local Atlanta angles

3. Consistency across platforms

Because Gray Television manages both broadcast and digital operations, the Atlanta News First brand typically stays consistent across:

• TV broadcasts
• Station website content
• Mobile apps and streaming platforms

This can make it easier for Atlanta residents to recognize that they’re getting information from the same local newsroom, even when they switch between TV, phone, or streaming devices.

How to Tell When You’re Watching a Gray-Owned Station in Atlanta

For most consumers, you’ll see signs of the parent company through:

• On‑air disclaimers about station ownership
• Mentions of Gray Television during corporate announcements
• Shared branding elements similar to other Gray-owned stations in different cities

You might also notice that some investigative or special reports identify themselves as part of a broader Gray Television initiative, though they’re produced and tailored for Atlanta audiences.

How Ownership Affects Local News Content in Atlanta

Ownership does not generally dictate every story you see, but it does shape the framework in which local journalists work.

Here’s how that often plays out for a station like Atlanta News First:

What the parent company influences

• Budget and staffing: How many reporters, photographers, and producers the station can employ
• Technology and facilities: Studio upgrades, cameras, weather systems, and digital platforms
• Branding and strategy: Decisions about rebranding (like the switch to Atlanta News First), website redesigns, and focus on certain formats (digital-first, streaming, etc.)

What remains local

• Daily editorial choices: Which Atlanta neighborhoods to cover, which city issues to spotlight
• Community involvement: Participation in local events, town halls, and public service campaigns
• Coverage angles: How national or state issues are explained specifically for Atlanta residents

For someone living or working in Atlanta, this means you’re seeing a blend of local editorial judgment and corporate-level support behind the scenes.

If You Want to Contact Atlanta News First or Its Owner

If you’re in Atlanta and want to reach out—whether to share a news tip, ask about coverage, or confirm ownership—there are two general paths: the local station and the parent company.

1. Contacting Atlanta News First locally

Local stations usually provide:

• News tips email or form: For sharing story ideas or concerns
• Phone numbers for the newsroom and main desk
• Mailing address for the station offices and studio

Look for this information through the station’s on-air graphics or published contact pages. When you reach out locally, you’re generally contacting the Atlanta-based staff, not the corporate office.

2. Contacting Gray Television (the parent company)

Gray Television’s corporate headquarters is located in Atlanta. As a large, publicly traded company, it typically lists:

• A corporate mailing address
• General phone numbers for the main office
• Investor relations or corporate communications contacts

If you’re concerned about broader corporate issues or want to understand company-wide policies, contacting Gray Television directly may be more appropriate than contacting the local newsroom.

Because addresses and phone numbers can change, it’s a good idea to verify the latest contact details through current corporate or station materials before you mail or call.

What This Means for News Consumers in Atlanta

To sum it up in practical terms:

• Atlanta News First is locally operated but owned by Gray Television, Inc., a major broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta.
• The parent company controls the business and technical side, while local journalists and managers shape most of the daily news decisions you see on TV and online.
• As an Atlanta resident, you interact mainly with the local station, even though the ownership and corporate structure sit just a few miles away in the same metropolitan area.

Understanding this ownership structure helps you be a more informed media consumer in Atlanta, whether you’re watching the morning news before your commute, streaming coverage of a breaking story in Midtown, or following severe weather alerts across the metro area.