Finance

CBS Makes Bold Move: New Atlanta Affiliate Set to Launch on WUPA!

2025-06-02

Author: Wai

CBS Rebrands Atlanta Television Landscape

Big news out of Atlanta! CBS has just announced that WUPA (channel 69) will officially become the city’s brand-new CBS Network affiliate starting August 16. This significant shift is part of CBS’s strategy to harness the full potential of its station portfolio, ensuring top-notch local news and culturally rich content for the region’s 2.8 million households—making it the seventh-largest designated market area (DMA) in the United States.

What Happens to Current Affiliate WANF?

The current CBS affiliate, Gray Television’s WANF, will shift to operate independently after the change. Gray Television also revealed it has renewed its affiliations with 52 other CBS Network stations, guaranteeing that local viewers can still access CBS programming via Paramount+ and other platforms.

Introducing CBS Atlanta & Exciting Streaming Offerings

WUPA will now proudly carry the title of CBS Atlanta, featuring the highly-anticipated CBS News Atlanta streaming channel. This innovative platform promises to keep the Atlanta community informed with real-time updates on weather, traffic, and breaking news.

CBS Pledges Investment in Atlanta’s Community

Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations and CBS News, expressed her excitement, stating, "Launching our first-owned CBS station in Atlanta is a milestone moment for us." She emphasized that this expansion means delivering award-winning programming directly to one of the nation's most dynamic markets, strengthening CBS’s commitment to local journalism and community investment.

Enhanced Streaming Options and Local Coverage

WUPA will provide its live feed on Paramount+, alongside a treasure trove of Paramount Global’s acclaimed series and movies. CBS is doubling down on community journalism, introducing cutting-edge tech and increasing live news coverage to better serve local audiences.

Gray Television Looks Towards the Future with WANF

In the wake of this transition, Gray Television is gearing up WANF to capitalize on its successful local news operations and pledges to enhance local content. Executive Chairman Hilton Howell remarked on their dedication to improve viewers' experiences on WANF and the accompanying station, WPCH PeachtreeTV.

Investing in Local Journalism—Gray's Vision

Gray plans to pour even more resources into WANF as it embarks on this new journey as an independent station. Co-CEO Pat LaPlatney highlighted the company’s substantial investments in the past few years, underscoring their commitment to providing exceptional local news and programming.

Celebrating Achievements and Future Aspirations

In just over three years, WANF has effectively boosted its local news broadcast hours and created positions within the Atlanta community. The station has garnered impressive accolades, including multiple prestigious journalism awards.

Conclusion: A New Era in Atlanta Television

With CBS tightening its grip on the Atlanta market through WUPA and Gray Television steering WANF independently, the future of local broadcasting in Atlanta looks promising. As both stations enhance their offerings, Atlanta viewers will have even more access to high-quality news and entertainment that resonates with their lives.