Atlanta Television Listings: How to Find What’s On TV in Metro Atlanta
Looking for Atlanta television listings—whether you’re cutting the cord, new to the city, or just trying to catch tonight’s game—comes down to knowing which services cover Atlanta’s local channels, which providers serve your neighborhood, and how to quickly check what’s on right now.
This guide walks through how TV listings work specifically for Atlanta, Georgia, and the easiest ways to see current schedules for Atlanta broadcast, cable, and streaming TV.
The Basics: How TV Listings Work in Atlanta
When you look up TV listings in Atlanta, you’ll usually see them organized by:
- Source type
- Over-the-air antenna (local broadcast channels)
- Cable or satellite TV
- Live TV streaming services
- Your local market
- Atlanta is its own TV market (DMA), so schedules are based on Atlanta-area stations.
- Your ZIP code
- This matters for cable systems and some streaming services, which use ZIPs to match you to the right channel lineup.
Most Atlanta residents will use one or more of these:
- An antenna to watch free local channels
- A cable or satellite package
- A live TV streaming service that carries Atlanta locals
Your best listings option depends on which of those you use.
Major Local TV Stations in Atlanta
If you’re using an antenna or any service that includes local channels, it helps to know the core Atlanta broadcast stations. These are the channels most listings will show first for Atlanta:
| Station (Brand) | Network | Typical Digital Channel | Notes for Atlanta Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSB-TV | ABC | 2.x | Major local news, weather, sports |
| WANF (formerly WGCL) | CBS | 46.x | CBS programming + local news |
| WXIA-TV | NBC | 11.x | NBC shows, local news, sports |
| WAGA-TV | FOX | 5.x | FOX network, NFC football, local news |
| WPCH-TV | Independent | 17.x | Syndicated shows, movies |
| WPBA | PBS | 30.x | Atlanta’s primary PBS station |
| WUPA | CW | 69.x | Network and syndicated programming |
| WATL | MyNetworkTV | 36.x | MyNetworkTV and syndicated content |
Most Atlanta TV listings will show these by their network names (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, PBS) and/or their channel numbers for your provider.
Getting Free Local Channels in Atlanta (Antenna Users)
If you watch TV with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna, your Atlanta television listings will be based on the broadcast stations listed above.
How to Find OTA Listings for Atlanta
You can:
- Use any TV guide app or website that allows you to:
- Enter your Atlanta ZIP code (for example, 30303, 30308, 30318, 30309, 30324, 30339, etc.)
- Select “Antenna” or “Over-the-air” as your provider
- Use the built-in guide on your TV if it supports over-the-air program data
- Check the network’s own schedule pages for:
- ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, PBS, etc., and select the Atlanta or local station option
For many addresses inside I-285 and much of the metro area, a standard indoor antenna can pick up multiple Atlanta stations, but signal strength varies by building, terrain, and distance from the transmitters.
Cable and Satellite TV Listings in Atlanta
If you subscribe to cable or satellite in Atlanta, your listings will depend on your provider and package.
Common providers serving metro Atlanta include:
- Cable
- Large cable systems that offer Atlanta-area packages and on-screen guides
- Satellite
- National satellite companies offering local Atlanta channels as part of their “local channels” add-on
How to See Your Cable/Satellite Listings
You can typically:
- Use your on-screen guide
- Press the “Guide” button on your remote.
- Filter by channels, categories (sports, movies, kids), or time.
- Use your provider’s app
- Most cable and satellite companies have a mobile app with a channel guide where you can:
- See live TV schedules
- Set recordings (for DVR customers)
- Most cable and satellite companies have a mobile app with a channel guide where you can:
- Use their website
- Many providers let you:
- Enter your Atlanta address or ZIP code
- View a channel lineup and schedule for your exact package
- Many providers let you:
If you’ve just moved to Atlanta, you’ll notice that channel numbers for national networks (like ESPN, CNN, etc.) can differ from what you had in another city. The on-screen guide is usually the most reliable reference.
Streaming TV Listings for Atlanta Viewers
Many Atlanta residents now use live TV streaming services instead of traditional cable. These services often include local Atlanta channels plus national networks.
Common live TV streaming platforms:
- Services that offer ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW and cable channels in the Atlanta market
- You typically confirm your location using:
- GPS/location permissions, or
- Entering your Atlanta ZIP code
How Listings Work on Streaming Platforms
Most live TV streaming apps offer:
- A grid-style live TV guide (similar to cable)
- Filters for:
- Sports (e.g., Atlanta Falcons, Hawks, Braves games when locally carried)
- News
- Movies
- The option to search by show, channel, or genre
As long as your account is set to an Atlanta-area home location, the guide will pull in the correct Atlanta locals and regional sports or news channels when available.
⚠️ Tip: If you split time between Atlanta and another city, the lineup may change when you travel, depending on the service’s location rules.
Finding Listings for Local News, Weather, and Sports in Atlanta
Atlanta TV viewers often search specifically for:
- Local news and weather times
- Atlanta Falcons, Braves, Hawks, United, and college game broadcasts
- Severe weather coverage during storms
Local News and Weather
Major Atlanta news stations include:
- WSB-TV (ABC, Channel 2)
- WXIA 11Alive (NBC, Channel 11)
- WANF (CBS, Channel 46)
- WAGA FOX 5 (Channel 5)
These stations typically air:
- Morning news blocks
- Midday newscasts
- Early evening (5–6 p.m.)
- Late news (10–11 p.m.)
Exact times vary, so the best approach is to:
- Check your TV guide (antenna, cable/satellite, or streaming)
- Use the station’s TV schedule page or app and select Atlanta
Atlanta Sports on Local and Regional Channels
Games may appear on:
- National networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)
- Cable sports channels
- Regional sports networks that include Atlanta teams
To see whether a game is on a local broadcast channel or cable-only, check:
- Your provider’s sports category in the guide
- The league or team’s game information, which usually lists the broadcast channel
Best Ways to Check Atlanta TV Listings Quickly
When you just want to know what’s on right now or tonight in Atlanta, these are your most practical options:
1. Use Your TV’s Built-In Guide
- Works for cable, satellite, and most streaming boxes
- Shows:
- Channel numbers
- Program names
- Start/end times
- Episode details
2. Use a TV Listings App or Website
Most listings platforms let you:
- Enter an Atlanta ZIP code
- Choose your provider:
- “Antenna”
- Specific cable or satellite carrier
- Streaming service option if supported
- View a full grid of what’s on in the Atlanta market
This is handy if:
- You’re away from your TV
- You’re planning recordings
- You want to see multiple days ahead
3. Network or Station Schedules
If you only care about one or two channels (for example, a PBS show on WPBA or a news program on WSB-TV), you can look up the individual station’s schedule and set reminders or recordings from there.
Understanding Time Zones and Blackouts in Atlanta
Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET). Most listings and guides in the area automatically display Eastern times, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you use national apps that default to your device settings.
You may occasionally see “blacked out” games or blocked programs, especially for live sports. This can happen when:
- A game is reserved for local broadcast only
- A streaming service doesn’t have Atlanta market rights for that event
If a game appears on the schedule but won’t play, check:
- Whether the game is airing on a local Atlanta station instead
- A different provider or platform that includes that local channel
Tips for Newcomers and Visitors in Atlanta
If you’re new to Atlanta or staying here temporarily:
- In a hotel or short‑term rental
- Look for a printed channel guide in the room, or
- Use the on‑screen guide from the room’s TV system.
- Staying with friends or family
- Ask which provider they use (cable, satellite, or streaming) and open the guide or provider app for listings.
- Long‑term stays
- Consider a small indoor antenna for free local channels if you’re inside or near the Perimeter.
- Use a live TV streaming service with Atlanta locals if you have solid internet access.
Quick Reference: How to See Atlanta TV Listings by Setup
Use this overview to find your next step quickly:
| Your Setup | How to See Listings for Atlanta |
|---|---|
| Antenna (over-the-air) | Use a TV listings app/website with your Atlanta ZIP; select OTA. |
| Cable TV in Atlanta | Use your remote’s Guide button or provider app/website. |
| Satellite TV | On-screen guide or your satellite provider’s app/website. |
| Live TV streaming (Atlanta locals) | Open the app’s Live TV/Guide section; confirm location is Atlanta. |
| Hotel or rental TV | Use TV’s built-in guide or any printed guide in the room. |
| Only care about one local station | Check that station’s schedule page or app, choosing Atlanta. |
By matching your setup to one of these paths, you can reliably see current, accurate Atlanta television listings for everything from local news and weather to prime-time shows and live sports.
