Gray Media’s Atlanta television station WANF will end its 31-year affiliation with the CBS Network to become an independent television station.
Gray said that going forward, WANF will leverage its local news operation, complete control of its daily program schedule, and the resources of the locally based Gray Media to better serve the local community with on-air and online content throughout the day that is more responsive to the growing Atlanta metropolis.
“As residents of Atlanta along with our families, 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 PeachtreeTV,” said Gray’s executive chairman Hilton Howell. “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.”
The affiliation is changing from Gray’s WANF to CBS-owned WUPA on August 16. It will also include launch of CBS News Atlanta streaming channel. Gray said it anticipates making additional financial and other resource investments in WANF to enable it to “transition successfully to a strong independent local television station.”
WUPA will be branded as CBS Atlanta and include the upcoming launch of the CBS News Atlanta streaming channel, “a comprehensive news experience that will keep the Atlanta community updated on the latest regional weather, traffic, local and breaking news.”
“Launching our first owned CBS station in Atlanta is a milestone moment for us,” said Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital. “This expansion allows us to bring the full strength of CBS’ award-winning news, sports and entertainment programming directly to one of the most vibrant and influential markets in the country. With WUPA and the launch of the CBS News Atlanta streaming channel, we’re not just delivering content — we’re investing in the community, local journalism and ensuring Atlanta viewers receive the same trusted, high-quality journalism that defines CBS in every market we serve.”
WUPA’s live linear feed will also be available on Paramount+, in addition to an expansive slate of original series, hit shows and movies from Paramount Global’s portfolio of popular brands.
