CBS Atlanta Set for Transition from WUPA in August
Headline: Atlanta's Channel 69 Switches Gears, Becoming CBS' New Local Outlet on August 16
Get ready, Atlanta! Starting August 16, your favorite Channel 69 will transform into CBS Atlanta, offering a lineup of news, sports, and entertainment, straight from the Big C! 🌞🏙️
For over 20 years, CBS News & Stations has held the reins of WUPA, the station currently branded as Atlanta 69. But now, it's set to break free from its independent ties and dive headfirst into the world of CBS. This change comes after the network had previously held the CW mantle from 2006 to 2024. 🌟🏆
While Gray Media's WANF has been the reigning CBS affiliate since 1994, it's set to pass the baton to the newly-branded CBS Atlanta. In its wake, WANF will rise as an independent station, reinvesting in its local news operation to better serve the community. 📰🌐
With the addition of CBS Atlanta and the launch of the CBS News Atlanta streaming channel, viewers can expect a sharper focus on regional weather, traffic, and local news. Not to mention, the fun doesn't stop there! CBS's award-winning programming will grace the airwaves, ensuring Atlanta viewers receive top-tier entertainment and journalism that defines CBS nationwide. 📺🎉
Adding fuel to the fire, WUPA's live linear feed will now be available on Paramount+, so you can catch your favorite shows wherever, whenever. 🎥💬
As residents of Atlanta, Gray Media's leadership took note of the untapped potential in WANF and its sister station, WPCH Peachtree TV. Leveraging its local resources and Gray's own expertise, WANF is poised to take a new direction, putting the power in local hands and investing heavily in local news, weather, and sports. 🗞️🌏
Gray Media’s Vice Chairman, Hilton Howell, expressed his enthusiasm for the new direction WANF would be heading: "This company's leadership and our corporate colleagues have been keenly focused on improving what we watch every day on WANF and its sister station, WPCH Peachtree TV. We are excited to now take WANF in a new direction that puts full control of the station's offerings in local hands and that allows us to expand our investment in local news, weather, and sports by, for, and about the people who, like us, live in Greater Atlanta."
By transitioning WANF into an independent station, Gray Media is following in the footsteps of successful stations like Gray-owned KTVK Phoenix, WJXT Jacksonville, and WHDH Boston, all of which have flourished with strong local news presences. 📣🏆
Since acquiring WANF and WPCH in December 2021, Gray has sunk tens of millions of dollars into the stations, revitalizing them and expanding their capabilities. As a result, WANF embraced its new call sign, Atlanta News First, to signify its renewed commitment to delivering local news first.
- The new CBS Atlanta, which was previously Atlanta 69, will begin broadcasting news, sports, and entertainment from August 16, offering a sharper focus on regional weather, traffic, and local news.
- With the transition, WANF, the former CBS affiliate, will become an independent station, reinvesting in its local news operation to better serve the community.
- Viewers can now access WUPA's live linear feed on Paramount+, making it possible to catch their favorite shows wherever and whenever they want.
- CBS Atlanta will also launch a streaming channel as part of this transformation, ensuring Atlanta viewers receive top-tier digital entertainment and journalism that defines CBS nationwide.
- Hilton Howell, Gray Media’s Vice Chairman, expressed his enthusiasm for WANF's new direction, stating that the company is excited to put full control of the station's offerings in local hands and to expand its investment in local news, weather, and sports.
- By transitioning WANF into an independent station, Gray Media is following in the footsteps of successful stations like KTVK Phoenix, WJXT Jacksonville, and WHDH Boston, all of which have thrived with strong local news presences.
