Fox 5 Atlanta: Your Guide to Atlanta’s Local FOX TV Station

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia, chances are you’ve heard people mention “Fox 5 Atlanta” or “FOX 5” when they talk about local news, traffic, or big events. This is the city’s local FOX television station, known formally as WAGA-TV, and it plays a big role in how Atlantans get day-to-day information.

This guide explains what Fox 5 Atlanta is, how it fits into Atlanta life, and how you can watch, contact, and get the most out of it while you’re in the metro area.

What Is Fox 5 Atlanta?

Fox 5 Atlanta (WAGA-TV) is the local FOX network affiliate serving the Atlanta metro area and much of north Georgia. It provides:

• Local news focused on Atlanta and surrounding counties
• Weather forecasts and severe weather coverage
• Traffic updates for metro Atlanta highways and surface streets
• Sports coverage, including the Falcons, Braves, Hawks, United, and local college teams
• National FOX programming, such as network shows and some live sports

If you’re in Atlanta, this is one of the main stations people turn to for breaking news, school closings, storm updates, and major local events.

Where Is Fox 5 Atlanta Located?

Fox 5 Atlanta’s main studios and offices are on the city’s west side:

Fox 5 Atlanta (WAGA-TV)
1551 Briarcliff Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30306
Main phone: 404-875-5555

Note: It’s always best to check current contact details and office hours before planning an in-person visit, as public access to TV stations can be limited.

How to Watch Fox 5 Atlanta in and Around Atlanta

Whether you live ITP (inside the Perimeter) or OTP (outside the Perimeter), you have several ways to watch Fox 5 Atlanta.

Over-the-Air (Free Antenna TV)

If you’re in the Atlanta TV market and have an antenna, you can usually receive Fox 5 for free:

• Channel: 5.1 (virtual channel, often just shown as “5”)
• Type: Over-the-air digital broadcast

Reception quality depends on where you live relative to Atlanta’s transmission towers and whether you’re in a dense urban area, low-lying area, or outlying suburb. Many residents throughout Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton can receive the signal with a basic indoor antenna; farther-out suburbs often use a larger outdoor antenna.

Cable and Satellite

In metro Atlanta, Fox 5 is carried on most major providers. Channel numbers vary by system and suburb, but it’s typically in the single- or low double-digit range. On most lineups, it appears as “FOX” or “FOX 5”.

Common scenarios:

• Apartment buildings and condos in Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, and Sandy Springs often include Fox 5 in their standard TV packages.
• Satellite customers in outlying areas (e.g., Woodstock, McDonough, Douglasville, Lawrenceville) generally still receive Atlanta’s Fox 5 as their local FOX station.

If you’re unsure of the channel number, you can usually find it by searching “FOX” in your TV provider’s on-screen guide.

Streaming and Mobile Viewing

Many Atlantans now stream instead of using traditional cable. While specific availability changes over time, Fox 5 is often accessible through:

• Live TV streaming bundles that carry local broadcast stations for the Atlanta market
• News apps that offer live newscasts and on-demand clips
• Mobile apps for local news, weather, and traffic alerts

These options are useful if you’re traveling within Georgia, temporarily staying in Atlanta, or prefer to watch on a phone, tablet, or smart TV.

What Kind of Local Coverage Does Fox 5 Atlanta Offer?

Fox 5’s coverage is heavily centered on Atlanta and the surrounding counties, which is helpful if you’re trying to understand what’s happening in the metro area.

Local News

Typical topics include:

• City government and local politics in Atlanta City Hall and the State Capitol
• Crime and public safety in neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, Southwest Atlanta, and various suburbs
• Community stories in areas like East Atlanta, West End, Old Fourth Ward, and the broader metro
• Major infrastructure and transit issues, including MARTA service changes, I-285/GA-400 construction, and I-20/I-75/I-85 updates
• Education news, such as Atlanta Public Schools (APS) updates and issues affecting districts in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett

Weather for Atlanta and North Georgia

Atlanta’s weather can shift quickly, especially with:

• Summer thunderstorms
• Tornado risk in certain seasons
• Occasional winter weather (ice and snow that can shut down roads)

Fox 5’s meteorologists typically focus on:

• Metro-wide forecasts that highlight differences between Atlanta, the northern suburbs (like Alpharetta and Cumming), and southern areas (like Jonesboro and Peachtree City)
• Severe weather alerts, including tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and flood advisories specific to Atlanta-area counties
• School closings and delays during winter or extreme weather

This can be particularly useful if you commute across county lines or need to know whether it’s safe to drive on major corridors like I-285, I-75, I-85, or GA-400.

Traffic and Commuter Information

For Atlanta residents and visitors, traffic updates are often one of the most valuable features. Coverage usually includes:

• Morning and evening rush hour conditions on major interstates and connectors
• Accidents and backups that affect critical routes (e.g., Downtown Connector, Spaghetti Junction, the Perimeter, I-20 east/west)
• Impact of major events such as games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Truist Park, State Farm Arena, and big conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center

If you rely on MARTA buses or trains, coverage may also note major disruptions, delays, or closures.

Sports Coverage

Fox 5 Atlanta provides local sports coverage of:

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL)
• Atlanta Braves (MLB)
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
• Atlanta United FC (MLS)
• Local college teams such as Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and UGA (although UGA is in Athens, many fans live in metro Atlanta)

While big national games may air via the FOX network, Fox 5 also focuses on local angles, including player features, community events, and fan reactions across Atlanta.

Typical Daily Programming for Atlantans

Specific schedules can change, but many viewers rely on a familiar pattern of local programming around Atlanta.

Morning

Morning blocks usually feature:

• Early morning news with weather and traffic, useful if you’re heading onto the Connector, GA-400, or I-285
• School day updates, including bus delays and weather-related changes
• Quick recaps of overnight local news

🎯 Tip: If you commute from suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, or Lawrenceville into the city, early morning news can help you avoid major traffic issues.

Daytime

Daytime programming often includes:

• Network shows and syndicated programs
• Occasional local segments or special coverage for big community events in Atlanta

This is less commute-focused and more general-interest.

Evening and Night

Evening blocks usually include:

• Early evening local newscasts covering the day’s events in Atlanta
• Sports recaps and highlights
• Late-night local news, which may review the day’s major stories and give a look ahead to weather for the next day

Fox 5 Atlanta and Metro-Area Communities

The Atlanta metro area is large and diverse. Fox 5 Atlanta functions as a broad regional station but frequently highlights stories from:

• Intown neighborhoods – Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown, Virginia-Highland
• Northside suburbs – Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Dunwoody
• Westside and Southside – College Park, East Point, Union City, Douglasville, Mableton
• Eastside communities – Decatur, Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Tucker

If you’re new to Atlanta, watching Fox 5 can quickly introduce you to how different parts of the metro area are changing, growing, or facing challenges.

Using Fox 5 Atlanta for Practical Needs

Staying Informed About Schools and Closures

Parents in Atlanta Public Schools or nearby districts (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton) often watch Fox 5 for:

• Weather-related closures
• Delays and early dismissals
• Major safety announcements affecting schools

While school districts publish their own information, TV alerts provide a quick overview for the entire region.

Severe Weather and Emergency Situations

During severe storms, tornado threats, or winter weather, Fox 5 often shifts to continuous local coverage, focusing on:

• Which neighborhoods or suburbs are under warnings
• Weather radar views specifically oriented around the Atlanta metro
• Suggested precautions and real-time updates on power outages and road conditions

For residents without reliable internet during storms, a battery-powered TV or antenna connected to a TV can make over-the-air broadcasts a valuable backup.

Community Events and Local Life

Coverage often includes:

• Festivals (e.g., in Piedmont Park or Old Fourth Ward)
• Charity events and local initiatives
• City improvements and major construction projects that affect daily life

This can help both residents and visitors plan around events and get a feel for what’s happening around town.

Simple Reference: Fox 5 Atlanta at a Glance

When Fox 5 Atlanta Is Especially Useful

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, Fox 5 is particularly helpful if:

• You commute daily on major interstates and need real-time information
• You’re concerned about severe weather specific to the Atlanta region
• You want to understand local issues, from zoning changes to major city projects
• You follow Atlanta sports and enjoy a local perspective
• You’re new to the city and want an ongoing sense of what matters to Atlantans

Whether you watch on a TV, a streaming device, or a mobile app while navigating the city, Fox 5 Atlanta is one of the core sources of local information for people who live, work, or travel in and around Atlanta.