Atlanta News Stations: How to Find Local TV News That Fits Your Needs

If you live in Atlanta, are planning a visit, or just want to keep up with what’s happening in the city, knowing your options for an Atlanta news station is essential. Atlanta is a major media hub for the Southeast, with multiple TV news outlets that each offer a slightly different style, focus, and schedule.

This guide walks through the main local TV news stations in Atlanta, what they’re known for, when they typically air local newscasts, and how to choose the best sources for weather, traffic, politics, and community coverage.

The Major Local TV News Stations in Atlanta

Atlanta’s main local TV news stations are:

• WSB-TV (Channel 2) – ABC affiliate
• WXIA-TV (11Alive, Channel 11) – NBC affiliate
• WGCL-TV / WANF (Channel 46, Atlanta News First) – CBS affiliate
• WAGA-TV (FOX 5 Atlanta, Channel 5) – FOX affiliate
• WPCH-TV (Peachtree TV, Channel 17) – Primarily entertainment, with some local programming
• Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB TV) – Statewide public television with news and public affairs shows

These stations primarily serve Atlanta and the surrounding metro area, including Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and nearby counties.

Quick Comparison of Atlanta News Stations

Below is a simplified overview of the main Atlanta TV news stations and what many viewers use them for.

*Usage patterns vary by viewer; this table is meant as a general, high-level guide.

WSB-TV Channel 2: Long-Running Atlanta Local News

WSB-TV (Channel 2) is one of the most established Atlanta news stations, serving the city for many decades. It’s the ABC affiliate for the area and is well known for:

• Frequent local newscasts throughout the day
• Coverage of metro Atlanta traffic and construction
• Severe weather tracking during thunderstorms, tornado watches, or winter weather

Typical content includes:

• City and county government updates (Atlanta City Hall, Fulton County, DeKalb County)
• Major incidents on I-75, I-85, I-20, I-285, GA-400, and other key roads
• Neighborhood-level news across the metro area

Residents often keep Channel 2 on during commute hours or storm days because of its focus on live updates and weather warnings.

11Alive (WXIA-TV): NBC News for the Atlanta Area

WXIA-TV, known on air as 11Alive, is the NBC affiliate serving Atlanta. Many residents turn to 11Alive for:

• Morning news shows with a mix of headlines, weather, and lighter stories
• Human-interest and community features highlighting Atlanta neighborhoods
• Investigative reporting on issues such as housing, public safety, and local services

11Alive regularly covers:

• Events in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Westside
• Stories from surrounding cities like Marietta, Decatur, and Sandy Springs
• Regional events that affect metro Atlanta, including Georgia politics and major business news

If you prefer a blend of local headlines plus deeper feature pieces, 11Alive is a strong option.

Atlanta News First (WANF / CBS 46): CBS News for Metro Atlanta

WANF Channel 46, branded as Atlanta News First and historically associated with CBS 46, is the CBS affiliate for the Atlanta market. Viewers often rely on this station for:

• Hard news and political coverage from the city and state
• City development stories, including housing, zoning, and infrastructure
• Regional and national news through the CBS network

This station tends to highlight:

• Atlanta City Council actions
• Changes impacting MARTA riders
• Major projects around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and core business districts

If you’re trying to stay informed about policy changes, civic issues, and city growth, this CBS station is frequently part of a well-rounded local news mix.

FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA-TV): FOX Affiliate With Strong Morning and Evening News

WAGA-TV, known as FOX 5 Atlanta, is the FOX network affiliate and a popular choice for many in the metro area. Viewers often use FOX 5 for:

• Early-morning newscasts that combine headlines, weather, and commute conditions
• Crime and public safety coverage across Atlanta and nearby counties
• Sports coverage including the Falcons, Hawks, Braves, Atlanta United, and college teams

FOX 5’s coverage often includes:

• Crime trends in Atlanta neighborhoods and nearby suburbs
• Updates on big sporting events and team developments
• Community events and lifestyle segments around the city

If you want fast-paced news, frequent traffic updates, and plenty of sports and event coverage, FOX 5 is a good fit.

Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB TV): Public Affairs and Statewide News

While not a traditional “local breaking news” station like the big four networks, Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB TV) is important for:

• In-depth public affairs programs
• Coverage of the Georgia General Assembly and statewide political issues
• Educational and cultural programming focused on Georgia communities

GPB can be especially useful if you want to understand how state-level decisions in Georgia affect Atlanta residents, from transportation funding to education policy.

Typical Local Newscast Times in Atlanta

Exact schedules vary, but most Atlanta TV news stations follow a similar general pattern for local news:

• Early Morning: Often starting around 4:30–6:00 a.m. and running through 7–9 a.m.
• Midday / Noon: Around 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. depending on the station
• Early Evening: Typically 5:00–7:00 p.m. newscasts
• Late Night: Usually 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. news, depending on the network

If you commute across Atlanta’s busy interstates, morning and evening newscasts are especially useful for:

• Major crashes or lane closures
• MARTA delays or service changes
• Weather that could affect driving, such as heavy rain, storms, or ice

For the most accurate and current schedule, it’s best to check the on-screen guide from your TV provider or the station’s own listing.

Watching Atlanta News Without Cable

If you don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, you still have several ways to watch an Atlanta news station:

1. Over-the-Air Antenna

Most Atlanta network stations broadcast free, over-the-air signals. With a digital antenna, many residents in and near the city can receive:

• Channel 2 (WSB)
• Channel 5 (FOX 5)
• Channel 11 (11Alive)
• Channel 46 (Atlanta News First)
• GPB TV

Reception quality depends on factors like:

• Your distance from the transmitters (often near or around central Atlanta)
• Nearby buildings, trees, and terrain
• Indoor vs. outdoor antenna placement

Residents in areas like Midtown, Downtown, and many intown neighborhoods often have stronger signals than those further from the city core, though this can vary.

2. Streaming and Station Apps

Many Atlanta news stations provide:

• Live streams of major newscasts
• On-demand clips of top local stories
• Weather and traffic segments

These are typically accessible through:

• Station-specific smartphone or smart TV apps
• Smart TV platforms and some streaming services that carry local channels

If you work odd hours or live outside the core Atlanta TV market but still care about Atlanta news, streaming can be a flexible way to stay informed.

Getting Atlanta Weather and Traffic Quickly

Atlanta’s combination of dense traffic and rapidly changing weather makes timely information important. Local TV news is one of the most commonly used sources for:

Weather

Atlanta stations typically offer:

• Live radar during storms
• Severe weather alerts for tornado warnings, severe thunderstorms, and flash floods
• Forecasts tailored to the metro area, often mentioning specific cities and counties

On severe weather days, local stations often go into extended coverage, pausing regular programming to track storms moving across north and central Georgia.

Traffic

During rush hours, most stations provide:

• Maps of current congestion on I-75, I-85, I-20, I-285, GA-400, and major surface streets
• Information about wrecks, disabled vehicles, and construction zones
• Alternate route suggestions for heavily impacted corridors

If you rely on driving around Downtown connector corridors or the Perimeter (I-285), tuning into a morning or evening newscast can help you avoid delays.

How to Choose the Best Atlanta News Station for You

Because Atlanta has several strong TV news options, many residents mix and match. To decide which Atlanta news station works best for you, consider:

1. Your Schedule

• Early risers may prefer stations with news starting at 4:30 a.m.
• Late workers might focus on stations with strong 10 or 11 p.m. newscasts
• If you’re often on the road during non-peak times, a station with midday updates may help

2. Your Priorities

Think about what matters most:

• Breaking news & crime – Many turn to FOX 5, WSB, or CBS 46/Atlanta News First
• Community & feature storytelling – Some viewers gravitate toward 11Alive
• Politics and public affairs – Pair commercial stations with GPB for more depth
• Severe weather coverage – All major stations emphasize this, so you might sample several during storm season and stick with the one you find clearest and easiest to follow

3. How You Watch

• If you rely on over-the-air antenna, test which channels come in most clearly at your address
• If you prefer streaming, check which stations offer reliable live and on-demand options on your devices

Using Atlanta News Stations as a Visitor

If you’re visiting Atlanta for business, tourism, or a short stay, local TV news can help you:

• Understand current city issues that might affect your plans (events, demonstrations, major road closures)
• Track weather that could impact flights at Hartsfield-Jackson or outdoor activities
• Learn about local events, festivals, and attractions highlighted in lifestyle segments

Turning on a morning or evening newscast in your hotel can quickly orient you to what’s happening in the city that day.

When to Turn to Local TV News vs. Other Sources

Atlanta news stations are especially useful when:

• You need real-time weather or traffic
• A major incident, storm, or emergency is unfolding
• You want a visual overview of what’s happening around the city

They can be complemented with:

• Radio for live traffic if you’re already on the road
• Official city and county channels for detailed policy or emergency instructions
• Public transit alerts (for MARTA riders) to pair with high-level TV coverage

Using multiple sources helps you get both the big picture and specific instructions for your neighborhood or route.

Staying informed through an Atlanta news station—whether it’s WSB, 11Alive, Atlanta News First, FOX 5, or GPB—can make everyday life in the metro area easier, safer, and more connected, especially when it comes to traffic, weather, and major changes that affect residents and visitors across the city.