Atlanta, Georgia Television Stations: A Local Viewer’s Guide

Atlanta is one of the South’s major media hubs, with a full lineup of broadcast television stations, local newsrooms, and specialty channels serving viewers across the metro area. Whether you rely on an antenna, cable, satellite, or streaming, it helps to understand how Atlanta television stations are organized, where they broadcast from, and how to get the channels you want.

This guide focuses specifically on television in Atlanta, Georgia—how to watch, who’s on the air, and what locals typically use each station for.

How Television Works in Atlanta

Atlanta’s TV landscape is built around:

• Full‑power broadcast stations (the big network affiliates)
• Independent and specialty stations (sports, classic TV, religious, multicultural)
• Low‑power and digital subchannels (extra channels “piggybacking” on main stations)
• Distribution platforms (over‑the‑air antenna, cable, satellite, and streaming)

Most of Atlanta’s main TV stations broadcast from towers clustered in and around the city (including areas like Midtown and North Druid Hills), covering Atlanta and much of North Georgia.

If you live in the city or close‑in suburbs, you can usually receive many channels with a basic indoor antenna. Outlying suburbs may need a stronger indoor or outdoor antenna.

Major Atlanta Broadcast TV Stations (Big Network Affiliates)

These are the primary local stations most Atlanta viewers recognize. “Virtual channel” is the channel number you see on your TV; the “RF” (radio frequency) channel may be different behind the scenes.

Station‑by‑Station: What Atlanta Viewers Use Them For

WSB‑TV (Channel 2) – ABC Atlanta

• Virtual channel: 2.1
• Network: ABC
• Focus: Local news, severe weather, major regional events

WSB‑TV is one of the best‑known stations in Atlanta. Many residents turn to Channel 2 for:

• Morning and evening local newscasts
• Severe weather coverage, especially during thunderstorms and tornado season
• ABC network shows, national news, and major sports events carried by ABC

Its studios are in Midtown Atlanta, serving the entire metro area.

WAGA‑TV (FOX 5 Atlanta)

• Virtual channel: 5.1
• Network: FOX

FOX 5 Atlanta is widely used for:

• Local news (including morning and late‑night coverage)
• Sports programming, including NFL games carried by FOX
• FOX network entertainment and national news

The station’s news and sports focus makes it a frequent choice for Atlanta fans tracking national games and local stories.

WGTV (Channel 8) – Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB)

• Virtual channel: 8.1 (city of license: Athens, serving Atlanta)
• Network: PBS / GPB

WGTV is part of Georgia Public Broadcasting, offering:

• PBS children’s programming
• Educational series and documentaries
• Georgia‑focused public affairs, culture, and history content

Atlanta families often rely on GPB/PBS channels for educational programming and locally produced specials on Georgia issues.

WXIA‑TV (11Alive) – NBC Atlanta

• Virtual channel: 11.1
• Network: NBC

WXIA‑TV (11Alive) is known for:

• Local news and investigative coverage
• Weather updates and community features
• NBC network shows, including national news and live sports (often NFL and major events like the Olympics)

It’s a common source for both national NBC content and local metro‑Atlanta reporting.

WANF‑TV (Atlanta News First) – CBS Atlanta

• Virtual channel: 46.1
• Network: CBS

WANF‑TV (often branded locally as “Atlanta News First”) provides:

• Daily local newscasts, traffic, and weather
• CBS network programming, including primetime shows
• National sports carried by CBS

Atlanta residents use this station for a mix of local coverage and major national broadcasts.

WATL (46 on Cable, 36 OTA) – The CW Atlanta

• Virtual channel: 36.1
• Network: The CW

WATL serves as Atlanta’s CW affiliate, with:

• CW network series and specials
• Syndicated shows and movies
• Some locally oriented or regional content

It’s often paired with WXIA under shared operations, so Atlanta viewers will sometimes see cross‑promotion between the two.

WPCH‑TV (Peachtree TV)

• Virtual channel: 17.1 / 17.x
• Network: Independent

WPCH‑TV, sometimes known as Peachtree TV, airs:

• Syndicated sitcoms and drama reruns
• Movies and general entertainment programming
• Occasional local or regional interest content

Many Atlanta viewers use this station for light entertainment and older favorites.

Subchannels and Specialty Programming in Atlanta

Most major Atlanta stations also carry digital subchannels, such as:

• Classic TV networks (MeTV, Antenna TV, etc.)
• Game show or movie networks
• Ethnic and multicultural programming
• Religious networks
• Shopping channels

These appear as .2, .3, .4 channels (for example, 2.2, 5.2, 8.3). To see what’s available in your part of metro Atlanta, you typically:

1. Run a channel scan on your TV or converter box.
2. Look for new channels labeled with the same main number but different decimal endings.
3. Repeat the scan if you move or adjust your antenna.

Lineups can differ slightly depending on signal strength, your neighborhood, and equipment.

Watching Atlanta TV Over the Air (Free with an Antenna)

If you’re in or near Atlanta, it’s usually possible to watch many stations for free, over the air.

What You Need

• A TV with a built‑in digital tuner (most modern TVs)
  – or –
• A digital converter box (if you have an older TV)
• An indoor or outdoor antenna, depending on your distance and surroundings

Antenna Tips for Atlanta

• Inside I‑285 (Perimeter): Many households can use a small indoor antenna near a window. High‑rise apartments may benefit from placing it near an exterior wall facing toward central Atlanta.
• Outside I‑285 or in hilly/wooded areas: A stronger amplified indoor antenna or roof/attic‑mounted antenna often improves reliability.
• Channel scan: After connecting your antenna, always run an automatic channel scan to pick up all available Atlanta stations.

📌 Tip: If certain channels (like 2, 5, 11, or 46) break up or don’t appear, moving your antenna a few feet, raising it higher, or facing it in a slightly different direction can help.

Cable, Satellite, and Streaming in Atlanta

Even if you use an antenna, many Atlanta residents combine it with cable, satellite, or streaming for extra channels.

Cable & Satellite in Metro Atlanta

Common options in the Atlanta area include:

• Cable providers that cover large parts of the city and suburbs
• Satellite services available throughout metro Atlanta, including more rural edges

These services usually carry the major local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CW, independents) in HD, along with regional sports and dozens of cable networks.

Live TV Streaming

Atlanta viewers increasingly access local stations through live TV streaming platforms that offer:

• Local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX feeds (where licensed)
• Regional sports and cable networks
• Cloud DVR options

Availability of specific local channels can vary by service and by Atlanta ZIP code, so checking a provider’s local channel list by address is usually necessary.

Spanish‑Language and Multicultural TV in Atlanta

Atlanta’s growing diversity is reflected in its television options:

• Spanish‑language channels: Some are available as subchannels of major Atlanta stations or as cable/streaming channels. These often include news, telenovelas, sports, and variety programming.
• International and multicultural channels: Carried primarily through cable, satellite, and streaming, offering content in multiple languages and from various regions.

If you’re specifically looking for Spanish or international programming in Atlanta:

• Run a full antenna channel scan to see local subchannels.
• Check cable/satellite international packages or streaming apps that specialize in global content.

Local TV News, Weather, and Emergency Information

For people living in or visiting Atlanta, local TV news is a key resource, especially for:

• Severe weather (thunderstorms, tornado watches/warnings, flooding)
• Traffic incidents and major interstate closures (I‑285, I‑75/85, GA‑400, etc.)
• Local government updates, school closings, and emergency alerts
• Coverage of big local events, festivals, and sports

Most major stations (WSB‑TV, FOX 5, 11Alive, WANF‑TV) run morning, evening, and late‑night newscasts. Many also provide:

• Continuous weather coverage during high‑risk storms
• On‑screen emergency alert messages and crawlers

If you’re new to Atlanta or visiting during storm season, keeping at least one local Atlanta station readily accessible is often recommended.

Public and Government Access Channels in Atlanta

If you subscribe to cable while living in the city, you may also receive public, educational, and government access channels focused on Atlanta and surrounding counties. These often include:

• City government meetings and hearings
• Local school board sessions
• Community programs highlighting Atlanta neighborhoods and services

Channel numbers for these vary by provider and county (for example, City of Atlanta vs. DeKalb, Fulton, Cobb, or Gwinnett), so checking your on‑screen guide or your provider’s printed/online lineup helps.

Finding Schedules and Contact Info for Atlanta Stations

When you need programming schedules, technical help, or to contact a station (for example, about a community event or public file):

• Look for each station’s “Contact Us,” “Programming,” or “Public File” sections on their official websites.
• Most stations list:
  • A main phone number
  • A newsroom or tips line
  • Mailing and physical address for their Atlanta studios
  • Engineering or reception contact info (for signal issues)

Because station addresses and phone lines can occasionally change, using official station websites or on‑air announcements is usually the most reliable way to get current details.

Practical Steps for Atlanta Viewers

If you’re setting up or improving TV service in Atlanta, these steps are a good starting point:

1. Decide how you want to watch:

   • Free over‑the‑air antenna
   • Cable or satellite
   • Live TV streaming, or a combination

2. Test an antenna if you’re within or near I‑285:

   • Start with a small indoor antenna and run a channel scan.
   • If reception is weak or incomplete, consider a stronger model or different placement.

3. Check which local stations each paid service provides:

   • Confirm that Atlanta affiliates (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, CW) are included in your plan.

4. Identify go‑to channels for:

   • Local news and weather: WSB‑TV, FOX 5, 11Alive, WANF‑TV
   • Public broadcasting and educational content: WGTV / GPB
   • Entertainment and reruns: WPCH‑TV and various subchannels

5. Rescan periodically:

   • When you move within Atlanta, adjust your antenna, or notice missing channels, run a fresh scan to capture any new or updated stations.

Atlanta, Georgia offers a full, modern TV market with multiple ways to stay informed and entertained—whether you’re downtown, in a close‑in neighborhood like Grant Park or Buckhead, or out in the broader metro area. Understanding the main stations, how to receive them, and where they fit in your daily viewing makes it much easier to get the most out of Atlanta television.