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

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s biggest media hubs, with a wide range of TV stations serving the metro area. Whether you live in the city, are staying in a hotel downtown, or are moving here and setting up a new TV, it helps to understand which Atlanta TV stations you can watch, what they offer, and how to receive them.

This guide focuses on Atlanta, Georgia TV stations specifically: major broadcast channels, local news, Spanish-language options, public broadcasting, and how to tune them in via antenna, cable, or streaming inside the Atlanta market.

How TV Broadcasting Works in Atlanta

Atlanta is its own designated TV market, often called the Atlanta DMA (Designated Market Area). If you’re in Atlanta or the surrounding metro counties, most local stations you receive will be Atlanta-based.

You can usually watch these stations in three main ways:

• Over-the-air (OTA) antenna – Free local channels broadcast from towers, mainly in the Atlanta area.
• Cable or satellite – Local Atlanta stations are carried in most channel lineups.
• Live TV streaming services – Many national services carry Atlanta locals if you enter an Atlanta-area ZIP code.

If you are close to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the inner suburbs, signal reception with an indoor antenna is often strong. Farther suburbs may require a more powerful antenna, ideally placed high and near a window.

Major Atlanta Broadcast TV Stations (Quick Overview)

Below is a simple summary of the primary full-power TV stations that most Atlanta viewers recognize. Virtual channels are the numbers you usually see on your TV.

Channel numbers and subchannels can change, but this gives you a realistic picture of what’s available in Atlanta.

The Big Local Network Stations in Atlanta

WSB-TV (Channel 2) – Atlanta’s ABC Station

WSB-TV is one of the most established stations in the city and serves as Atlanta’s ABC affiliate.

You can expect:

• Local news throughout the day (especially morning, early evening, and late night)
• ABC network shows (dramas, comedies, reality)
• Major sports carried by ABC, such as some college football and special events
• Severe weather coverage during storms and hurricanes affecting Georgia

For residents, WSB-TV is often a primary source for local news and weather, especially during significant weather events around the metro.

WAGA-TV (Channel 5) – Atlanta’s FOX Station

WAGA-TV is the FOX affiliate for Atlanta.

Programming typically includes:

• Extensive local news, especially morning and evening
• FOX primetime series
• NFL football, including many Sunday games and some postseason coverage
• Other FOX Sports programming and national events

If you follow pro sports and live in Atlanta, WAGA is one of the key stations for football and other FOX sports broadcasts.

WXIA-TV (Channel 11) – Atlanta’s NBC Station

WXIA-TV is Atlanta’s NBC station, often branded as 11Alive.

Viewers usually turn to WXIA for:

• Local news and investigative reporting
• NBC shows, including national news and prime-time series
• Events like Sunday Night Football, Olympics (when carried by NBC), and national specials

For many Atlanta households, NBC on Channel 11 is a go-to for national news and big national sports events.

WANF (Channel 46) – Atlanta’s CBS Station

WANF is the CBS affiliate serving the Atlanta area.

You’ll find:

• Local news coverage of Atlanta and the metro region
• CBS primetime dramas and comedies
• NFL on CBS, plus NCAA basketball, and other major sports
• Morning and evening national news from CBS

If you’re setting up a new antenna in Atlanta and you watch the NFL or college basketball, making sure you receive Channel 46 (CBS) is usually a priority.

WUPA (Channel 69) – Atlanta’s CW Station

WUPA is the CW outlet for the Atlanta market.

Programming generally includes:

• CW network shows (youth- and drama-focused)
• Syndicated reruns and movies
• Some local or regional programming blocks

While WUPA does not typically produce as much local news as the big four (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX), it’s still part of the standard local lineup many Atlantans expect to receive.

WATL (Channel 36) – MyNetworkTV and Independent Programming

WATL operates in the Atlanta area with a MyNetworkTV affiliation and a mix of other programming.

You’ll see:

• Syndicated series and reruns
• Some sports, local specials, or partner-produced content
• Evening MyNetworkTV lineup

For cord-cutters in Atlanta, WATL is often one of the “extra” channels that adds variety to a basic antenna setup.

Public and Educational TV in Atlanta

WPBA (Channel 30) – Atlanta’s Public Broadcasting Station

WPBA, branded as Atlanta’s PBS station, is run by Atlanta Public Schools and is a central part of public television in the city.

Programming typically includes:

• PBS children’s shows and educational programs
• Documentaries, arts, and cultural series
• Locally focused public affairs and community programming

If you’re in Atlanta with children or you appreciate educational and arts content, having access to WPBA Channel 30 is especially valuable.

You can also look for Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) stations that may be available over the air or via cable in different parts of the metro for additional PBS content.

Spanish-Language & Multilingual TV in Atlanta

Atlanta’s growing Latino population is served by Spanish-language stations and subchannels.

WUVG-DT (Channel 34) – Univision Atlanta

WUVG-DT is the main Univision station for the Atlanta area.

You’ll typically find:

• Spanish-language news with coverage of Atlanta and national stories
• Telenovelas, entertainment, and talk shows
• Sports, including soccer and other Latin American sporting events

If Spanish is your primary language at home, this is a key local station.

Other Spanish-Language and International Channels

In addition to WUVG:

• Some Atlanta stations carry Telemundo, UniMás, or other Spanish networks on digital subchannels.
• There are also multilingual and ethnic channels available over the air, especially through low-power stations or subchannels that cater to specific communities.

When you scan for channels with an antenna inside Atlanta, you may find multiple Spanish or international channels beyond the main English-language networks.

Over-the-Air (OTA) TV in Atlanta: Antenna Tips

If you want to watch Atlanta TV stations free over the air, an antenna is a practical option.

Where Signals Come From

Most major stations broadcast from towers around the Atlanta metro, often in or near the city. Because Atlanta is relatively hilly and spread out, signal strength can vary by neighborhood.

In general:

• Intown neighborhoods (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, Buckhead) often get strong reception with a simple indoor antenna.
• Inner suburbs (Sandy Springs, Decatur, Smyrna, Brookhaven) may need a higher-quality indoor antenna, ideally placed near a window, or a small outdoor antenna.
• Outer suburbs and exurbs (Cumming, Monroe, Carrollton, Griffin) might require an outdoor or attic antenna with more range.

Practical Antenna Setup Tips in Atlanta

• Place your antenna as high and as close to an exterior wall or window as possible.
• Avoid large metal objects directly near the antenna, which can block signals.
• After connecting, use your TV’s settings to “Scan” or “Auto-tune” for channels.
• Try re-aiming the antenna if you’re missing a specific station like WSB (2), WANF (46), or WXIA (11) and rescanning.

You may find it helpful to try different positions in your home, especially if you’re in a mid-rise or high-rise building in Downtown or Midtown.

Cable and Satellite TV in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta and subscribe to cable or satellite, your provider will typically include:

• All the major local Atlanta broadcast stations
• Public television options such as WPBA and GPB channels
• Spanish-language networks like Univision, plus others depending on your package

Channel numbers will vary by provider, but you should be able to locate an on-screen menu where “Local Channels” or “Atlanta Locals” are grouped together.

When setting up cable or satellite service for a new Atlanta home:

• Confirm that you are being placed in the Atlanta local market, not a neighboring city’s.
• Check that you receive the core Atlanta locals: ABC (WSB), CBS (WANF), NBC (WXIA), FOX (WAGA), CW (WUPA), MyNetworkTV (WATL), and PBS (WPBA).

Streaming Local Atlanta TV Stations

Many Atlanta residents choose live TV streaming instead of traditional cable. Most major streaming services (those that include local channels) will carry:

• WSB (ABC)
• WANF (CBS)
• WXIA (NBC)
• WAGA (FOX)
• WUPA (CW)
• Often WPBA (PBS) or PBS content in some form

Availability can change, and in some cases PBS or specific independents may have different arrangements or apps. To ensure you receive Atlanta versions of these stations, streaming services usually ask for a ZIP code or confirm your location.

Common Atlanta ZIP codes you might use for setup include:

• 30303 – Downtown Atlanta
• 30308 – Midtown
• 30309 – Buckhead/Midtown area
• 30318 – Northwest Atlanta
• 30316 – East Atlanta area

Using an Atlanta ZIP code helps services correctly assign you to the Atlanta local TV market.

Subchannels and Extra Content on Atlanta TV

Modern digital TV allows each station to broadcast subchannels (e.g., 2.1, 2.2, 2.3). In Atlanta, many primary stations offer:

• Classic TV networks (older sitcoms and dramas)
• Weather or traffic-focused channels
• Specialty networks showing westerns, crime shows, or family programming
• Additional Spanish-language or multilingual content

When you scan for channels with your antenna in Atlanta, you may discover far more than just the main “big” channels. It’s normal to pick up 20–40+ channels in many parts of the metro, depending on your antenna and location.

Where to Get Help or More Information in Atlanta

If you run into trouble receiving local stations or want more formal information:

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – Provides tools to check what local broadcast stations are available by address.
• Local electronics retailers in Atlanta – Staff members are often familiar with which antennas work best in different neighborhoods.
• Building management or HOA (for condos/apartments) – Can explain any rules about installing outdoor or balcony antennas.

For questions specific to public broadcasting in Atlanta, you can contact:

Atlanta Public Schools – WPBA (Atlanta Public Television)
130 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main APS phone line often provides general contact information for the station.

Contact details may change over time, but APS and Atlanta Public Schools communications offices can typically direct you to WPBA’s current viewer services contact.

Choosing the Best Way to Watch Atlanta TV

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, the best way to access local TV depends on what you want:

• 🏠 Local news, weather, and sports without a bill – An over-the-air antenna picking up WSB, WAGA, WXIA, WANF, WUPA, WATL, WPBA, and WUVG.
• 📺 All locals plus cable channels – A cable or satellite package that includes the full Atlanta local lineup.
• 💻 Flexible, internet-based viewing – A live TV streaming service set up with an Atlanta ZIP code to receive Atlanta-area stations.

No matter which option you choose, the core set of Atlanta, Georgia TV stations delivers strong local news, weather, and entertainment coverage for the city and the broader metro area.