CBS Atlanta: How to Watch, What It Covers, and Local Tips for Atlanta Viewers

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or you’re visiting and want to catch CBS programming, you’re really looking for information about Atlanta’s CBS-affiliated TV station, WANF (often recognized locally as the CBS Atlanta station).

Below is a clear guide to what “CBS Atlanta” means, how to watch it in the metro area, what kind of local news and programming you’ll find, and how to connect with the station for weather alerts, traffic, and community information.

What “CBS Atlanta” Means in Atlanta

In Atlanta, when people say “CBS Atlanta”, they usually mean:

• The local CBS television affiliate serving the Atlanta metro area (currently WANF)
• The station that carries CBS network shows, NFL on CBS, college sports, primetime dramas and comedies, and CBS News national coverage
• A local news operation that focuses on metro Atlanta neighborhoods, traffic, weather, and community stories

You’ll see the station branded in different ways on screen or online, but for everyday viewers it’s simply the CBS station for Atlanta.

Ways to Watch CBS in Atlanta

How you get “CBS Atlanta” depends on whether you use antenna, cable, satellite, or streaming.

1. Watching CBS Atlanta Over the Air (Antenna)

If you’re in the Atlanta area and have a digital antenna, you can typically receive the CBS station free over the air.

General steps:

1. Connect your HD antenna to your TV.
2. Run a channel scan from your TV’s settings menu.
3. Look for the channel labeled as the local CBS affiliate.

Reception tends to be strongest in and around:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Areas with a clear line-of-sight toward the main broadcast towers east/southeast of the city

If you live farther out (for example, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Henry, or Coweta counties), you may need:

• A higher-gain outdoor antenna
• To position the antenna near a window facing toward the city
• To periodically rescan for channels, especially after storms or station updates

📌 Tip: In apartment buildings in Midtown, Sandy Springs, or Buckhead, higher-floor units usually get better reception than ground-level units.

2. Watching CBS Atlanta on Cable

Most major cable providers serving Atlanta carry the local CBS station on a low channel number within their “local channels” grouping.

Common setups in the Atlanta metro:

• Comcast Xfinity
• Spectrum (in certain surrounding areas)
• Local and regional cable systems in suburban counties

Since channel lineups differ by ZIP code, you can:

• Check the channel guide on your TV
• Look for the CBS logo in the channel list
• Search by station call letters or “CBS” in your provider’s on-screen guide

Many cable packages also include on-demand access to CBS shows that air on the Atlanta station, typically with a 24-hour delay.

3. Watching CBS Atlanta via Satellite

If you use satellite TV in the Atlanta area, the local CBS station is generally included in your local channel package, which is tied to your service address in metro Atlanta or nearby counties.

Satellite customers can:

• Tune to the local channels section in the guide
• Look for the CBS logo and the station’s call sign (e.g., WANF)
• Record local CBS Atlanta news and sports with the DVR, similar to other channels

Availability of HD quality and secondary subchannels may vary based on the satellite provider and equipment.

4. Streaming CBS Atlanta Online

If you’ve cut the cord but still want access to CBS programming in Atlanta, you have a few options depending on your streaming setup.

Common patterns for Atlanta viewers:

• Live TV streaming services
  Many “cable replacement” streaming services that serve the Atlanta market include the local CBS station in their channel lineups. These work similarly to cable, but stream over the internet.

• Network apps and authentication
  Some CBS content can be accessed through the network’s own apps or platforms, sometimes requiring sign-in with a participating cable/satellite/streaming provider that confirms you’re in the Atlanta area.

• Local news streaming
  Atlanta’s CBS station may offer live or recorded segments of local newscasts, weather updates, and special reports through its own digital platforms and mobile apps. This can be helpful if you’re away from your TV but want Atlanta-specific news, especially during storms, traffic incidents, or major events.

For the most Atlanta-relevant experience, look for options that mention “local channels in your area” and confirm that you’re getting the Atlanta CBS feed, not a national-only stream.

What Kind of Local Coverage CBS Atlanta Provides

While CBS provides national shows and news, the Atlanta CBS station focuses heavily on:

Local News

You can typically expect live local newscasts:

• Early morning (for commuters and school schedules)
• Midday / early afternoon
• Evening (around dinnertime and late prime time)
• Late night (after primetime CBS programming)

Local news coverage commonly includes:

• Breaking metro Atlanta news: crime, city government, major developments
• Coverage of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and other nearby counties
• Issues affecting MARTA, GA 400, I-20, I-75/85 (the Connector), and I-285

Weather for Atlanta and North Georgia

For weather, the Atlanta CBS station typically focuses on:

• Daily forecasts for Atlanta and nearby suburbs
• Severe weather alerts, especially:
  • Thunderstorms and tornado watches/warnings
  • Heavy rain and flash floods affecting low-lying neighborhoods
  • Winter weather that could impact the Downtown Connector, Peachtree Street, and major interstates
• Forecasts tailored to:
  • Metro areas like Sandy Springs, Decatur, Marietta, Roswell, and College Park
  • North Georgia mountain and foothill areas, where conditions can differ from the city

Most local viewers rely on the CBS station during:

• Tornado season
• Heavy rain events that might cause Chattahoochee River and creek flooding
• Rare but disruptive ice and snow impacts on Atlanta roads

Traffic and Commuter Information

Atlanta’s CBS station usually includes traffic segments in its morning and evening newscasts, focusing on:

• The Downtown Connector (I-75/85)
• The Perimeter (I-285), especially at major interchanges like:
  • I-285/I-20 (west and east)
  • I-285/GA 400
  • I-285/I-75 and I-285/I-85
• Key surface streets: Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Avenue, Cobb Parkway, Camp Creek Parkway, and more

If you commute from areas such as Duluth, Alpharetta, Mableton, Stockbridge, or Douglasville, the traffic coverage can help you time your drive and spot major incidents before you leave.

Sports Coverage

Because it carries the CBS network feed, the Atlanta CBS station regularly airs:

• NFL on CBS (with an emphasis on AFC matchups, plus games relevant to the Atlanta market)
• College football and basketball from conferences that partner with CBS
• Other national sports events aired by CBS

Local sports coverage during newscasts often highlights:

• Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta United FC
• Major college programs: Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, and regional schools with strong followings
• High school sports spotlights, especially during football season

How CBS Atlanta Fits into Atlanta’s Local Media Landscape

Atlanta is a major media market, so CBS is just one of several big local TV players. For perspective:

For many Atlanta residents, the CBS station is one of the core channels they check along with other local stations and digital sources, especially during:

• Severe weather
• Major traffic disruptions
• Local elections
• Major breaking news within city limits or in nearby counties

Getting Local Help, Closures, and Alerts via CBS Atlanta

The Atlanta CBS station often works as an information hub during:

• School closures/delays
• Government office closures
• Boil water advisories and other citywide notices
• Storm recovery and emergency response updates

When something affects a broad portion of the city—such as ice on the Downtown Connector, a water main break downtown, or a tornado outbreak in the suburbs—many residents use:

• Live TV coverage for immediate updates
• Station’s website or app for school and business closure lists
• Push notifications (if enabled in the station’s app) for severe weather

For residents new to Atlanta, this can be one of the quickest ways to understand:

• Which county or city you’re in (important for warnings)
• What local officials are saying at press conferences
• Where to find shelters, cooling centers, or warming centers listed in coverage

Contacting or Interacting with CBS Atlanta

You might need to reach the station if you:

• Have a news tip about something happening in your Atlanta neighborhood
• Want to ask about technical reception issues
• Are interested in community coverage or public service announcements

Most viewers connect with the station by:

• Using the “Contact Us,” “News Tip,” or “Submit a Story” section on the station’s digital platforms
• Calling the newsroom or main phone line listed on the station’s official website
• Reaching out through social media, where the station typically posts Atlanta-focused updates

Because direct phone numbers and email addresses can occasionally change, it’s best to:

• Check the station’s current contact page
• Use forms labeled for news tips, community events, or technical issues

If you’re having ongoing TV reception problems (especially with over-the-air antennas), you can also:

• Confirm your TV’s channel scan is up to date
• Consider contacting a local antenna installation service familiar with Atlanta’s tower layout
• Verify your address is within the expected coverage zone for the Atlanta market

How Visitors to Atlanta Can Use CBS Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta, the CBS station can be especially helpful for:

• Weather: Knowing when thunderstorms might affect Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, outdoor events, or downtown sightseeing
• Traffic: Planning trips around the Perimeter, visits to Buckhead, Atlantic Station, Truist Park, or Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Local events: Catching mentions of festivals, concerts, and neighborhood happenings around Grant Park, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, and more

Most hotels in the city and near the airport include the local CBS channel as part of their standard lineup, and you can often stream local news using station apps or websites if you prefer watching on your phone or laptop.

Quick Summary: What Atlantans Should Know About CBS Atlanta

• “CBS Atlanta” refers to the local CBS-affiliated TV station serving the Atlanta metro area.
• You can watch it over the air (antenna), through cable or satellite, or via compatible streaming services that carry local Atlanta channels.
• It provides:
  • Local news about city and suburban Atlanta
  • Weather coverage geared to Atlanta and North Georgia
  • Traffic reports on major interstates and key commuter routes
  • National CBS programming, including sports and primetime shows
• Residents and visitors use CBS Atlanta as a reliable source during severe weather, major traffic events, and citywide emergencies, as well as for everyday news and entertainment.

This gives you the essentials for understanding what CBS Atlanta is, how to access it, and how it fits into daily life and local information in Atlanta, Georgia.