Fox 5 Atlanta: How to Watch, Contact, and Use the Station as an Atlanta Viewer

If you live in or around Atlanta, Georgia, chances are you’ve heard of FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA‑TV). Whether you’re trying to watch local news, check the weather before your commute on the Connector, or contact the station with a story tip, it helps to know exactly how FOX 5 Atlanta works for local viewers.

This guide walks through how to watch FOX 5 Atlanta, how to reach different departments, and how Atlantans commonly use the station for news, weather, traffic, and community information.

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’s known for:

• Local news (morning, midday, evening, and late newscasts)
• Severe weather coverage for metro Atlanta and nearby counties
• Traffic reports focused on interstates like I‑75, I‑85, I‑285, GA‑400, and major surface streets
• Sports coverage, including the Atlanta Falcons, Braves, Hawks, United, and local high school sports
• Investigative and consumer reporting focused on Georgia issues

The station’s main studios and newsroom are located in midtown‑west Atlanta, close to downtown and the major highways that ring the city.

FOX 5 Atlanta Channel and Basic Info

Here’s a quick snapshot of how FOX 5 fits into the local TV landscape.

Channel numbers can differ slightly depending on whether you’re using cable, satellite, or streaming, but most Atlantans simply know it as “FOX 5”.

How to Watch FOX 5 Atlanta in Atlanta

1. Over-the-Air (Antenna) in the Atlanta Area

If you live in the City of Atlanta or nearby suburbs (such as Decatur, Sandy Springs, Marietta, East Point, College Park, or Tucker), you can usually watch FOX 5 for free with a digital antenna.

• Tune your TV to Channel 5.1 for the main FOX 5 Atlanta broadcast.
• Additional subchannels may also appear (like 5.2, 5.3, etc.) carrying different programming.

This can be useful if you live in in-town neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West End, or Buckhead and want free local news without a cable or streaming subscription.

2. Cable and Satellite in Metro Atlanta

On most Atlanta-area cable and satellite services, FOX 5 Atlanta is carried as the local Fox affiliate, usually on a low channel number (often just 5). Because lineups differ:

• Check your provider’s on-screen guide for “WAGA” or “FOX 5 Atlanta.”
• New Atlantans moving from out of state may notice FOX is on a different channel number than they’re used to; the local affiliate is the one you’ll want for Atlanta-specific news and weather.

3. Streaming and Online Viewing

Many Atlantans now watch local news on smart TVs, phones, or tablets. Without naming specific apps or services, here’s how people typically access FOX 5 Atlanta digitally:

• Through live TV streaming services that carry local Atlanta broadcast stations
• Using the station’s own digital platforms or apps that offer live newscasts and replays
• Watching clips and segments on connected devices when they miss a live newscast

This is especially handy if you commute from places like Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Douglasville, or McDonough and want to check local coverage during the day.

FOX 5 Atlanta News: What Local Viewers Can Expect

Daily Newscasts

FOX 5 Atlanta runs multiple newscasts throughout the day, typically including:

• Morning news for commuters heading onto I‑75/85, I‑20, GA‑400, and I‑285
• Midday or afternoon newscasts with updates on developing stories
• Evening news covering metro-wide issues, city government, crime, education, and business
• Late news recapping the day and giving a first look at tomorrow’s weather

The focus is usually on Atlanta and North Georgia:

• City of Atlanta neighborhoods
• Major suburbs in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton and surrounding counties
• Regional issues that affect commuters, students, and businesses

Weather Coverage for Atlanta and North Georgia

Atlanta’s weather can change quickly, especially with:

• Severe thunderstorms and tornado threats
• Winter weather (ice, sleet, and occasional snow) that can disrupt the interstates
• Summer heat and humidity with strong afternoon storms

FOX 5 Atlanta’s weather coverage is designed around North Georgia viewers, often zooming into specific areas like:

• Intown Atlanta (Midtown, Downtown, Grant Park, West Midtown, East Atlanta)
• North metro (Roswell, Johns Creek, Cumming, Kennesaw, Duluth)
• South and west metro (Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Newnan, Douglasville, Morrow)
• Mountain and rural areas (Dahlonega, Gainesville, Rome, Carrollton, etc.)

During severe weather, it’s common for viewers in Atlanta to use FOX 5 as one of their main sources for live radar, warnings, and school/road impacts.

Traffic and Commuter Information

With congestion on The Perimeter (I‑285) and through Downtown Connector, local stations like FOX 5 often provide:

• Real-time traffic maps and camera views
• Updates on major wrecks, lane closures, and construction
• Coverage of MARTA issues when they significantly affect commuters

This is most useful for residents commuting from suburbs like Smyrna, Norcross, Stone Mountain, or Stockbridge into the city.

Sports, Community, and Local Features

Atlanta Sports Coverage

FOX 5 Atlanta regularly covers:

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and broader NFL coverage through the Fox network
• Atlanta Braves, especially during baseball season and playoff runs
• Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta United, and local college sports
• High school sports around metro Atlanta and North Georgia

For many Atlanta sports fans, FOX 5 serves as a hub for highlights, interviews, and game previews.

Community and Local Interest Stories

The station often highlights:

• Community events in Downtown, Midtown, and various intown neighborhoods
• Stories from suburbs and smaller cities in the metro area
• Coverage of local government decisions that affect Atlanta residents, such as:
  • Zoning and development
  • Transportation projects
  • Public safety and education issues

These stories can help you stay informed about what’s happening around your neighborhood, whether you live near Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, Cascade, East Point, or farther out in Cherokee or Henry County.

How to Contact FOX 5 Atlanta

If you want to send a news tip, ask a question, or contact a specific department, FOX 5 Atlanta maintains a number of ways for viewers to reach them.

Main Station Location

FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA‑TV)
1551 Briarcliff Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

This facility houses the main studios, newsroom, and many of the station’s departments.

General Reasons Atlantans Contact FOX 5

People in the Atlanta area commonly reach out to FOX 5 for:

• News tips (crime, government, community issues, consumer concerns)
• Story ideas or follow-ups on ongoing issues
• Questions about programming or scheduling
• Requests for corrections or clarifications on aired content
• Advertising and business inquiries

When contacting the station, it usually helps to:

• Be specific and concise about your issue or tip
• Include relevant details (location in Atlanta, dates, who is involved)
• Provide clear contact information if a reporter or staff member needs to follow up

News Tips and Investigative Leads

For breaking news or important local issues, many Atlantans choose to:

• Email or call the newsroom with detailed information
• Provide photos or video when they safely can
• Explain how the story affects Atlanta residents or North Georgia communities

If your issue is more complex—such as a government concern, a significant safety problem, or an ongoing consumer issue—make that clear when you reach out.

Getting the Most Out of FOX 5 as an Atlanta Viewer

Here are a few practical ways Atlantans use FOX 5 Atlanta day to day:

• Morning planning
  Tune in before leaving home to check:

  • Weather for commuting on I‑20, I‑85, or I‑75
  • Any major crashes on the Connector or Perimeter
  • School closings or delays in your county

• Severe weather readiness
  During spring and fall storm seasons, keep FOX 5 on hand for:

  • Tornado watches and warnings
  • Flash flood alerts, especially near creeks and low-lying roads
  • Winter weather updates that can quickly affect bridges and overpasses

• Staying informed about city issues
  Watch evening newscasts or online clips to track:

  • City of Atlanta and surrounding county decisions
  • Crime trends in neighborhoods you live, work, or go out in
  • Transportation, MARTA changes, and major development projects

• Following local teams
  Use FOX 5 to keep up with the Falcons, Braves, Hawks, United, and big local college matchups, along with high school sports that matter in your part of the metro.

Quick Reference: Key FOX 5 Atlanta Takeaways for Locals

• Station: FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA‑TV), Fox affiliate for the Atlanta metro and North Georgia
• Watch Over-the-Air: Typically on Channel 5.1 with a digital antenna in the Atlanta area
• Watch via Providers: Listed as the local Fox station (channel number varies by cable/satellite/streaming provider)
• Content Focus: Local news, weather, traffic, sports, and community stories centered on Atlanta and surrounding counties
• Location: 1551 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, FOX 5 Atlanta is one of the primary ways to keep up with what’s happening across the city and the broader metro area—from severe weather and traffic to city government, schools, and local sports.