WANF explained

Callsign:WANF
Logo Upright:1
Logo Alt:At left, the black letters A, N, and F in a sans serif, with the A overlapping and cutting off the N and the F having a diagonal cut. A vertical line separates this from the words "Atlanta News First" in all caps in a wide sans serif. Atlanta is in black and on top. The words NEWS and FIRST are in black and red boxes. The capital I in FIRST is stylized like the number 1.
Branding:Atlanta News First
Digital:19 (UHF)
Virtual:46
Owner:Gray Television
Licensee:Gray Television Licensee, LLC
Location:Atlanta, Georgia
Country:United States
Callsign Meaning:"Atlanta News First"
Sister Stations:WPCH-TV, WKTB-CD, WKSY-LD
Former Affiliations:Independent (1971–1994)
Erp:1,000 kW
Haat:3290NaN0
Facility Id:72120
Licensing Authority:FCC

WANF (channel 46) is a television station in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is the flagship property of locally based Gray Television and is co-owned with CW affiliate WPCH-TV (channel 17) and low-power, Class A Telemundo affiliate WKTB-CD (channel 47). WANF and WPCH-TV share studios on 14th Street Northwest in Atlanta's Home Park neighborhood, while WANF's transmitter is located in the city's Woodland Hills section.

The station was built in 1971 as WHAE-TV (later WANX-TV), owned by the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Originally a nonprofit operation airing religious programs, the station gradually became a more commercially oriented independent station and broadened its programming to include older movies and family-friendly classic TV shows. CBN sold the station to Tribune Broadcasting in 1983, and the call sign was changed to WGNX in 1984. Tribune substantially built up the station, upgrading programming and turning it into Atlanta's top-rated independent local station; it also started a local newscast for the station in January 1989.

After a major switch of television affiliations in Atlanta in 1994, WGNX became Atlanta's new CBS affiliate and the only such station owned by Tribune. However, news was not seriously expanded until after the Meredith Corporation acquired the station in 1999 as part of a purchase-and-trade with Tribune. The WGCL-TV call sign was adopted in 2000 as part of a major, but short-lived, rebrand of the station to "Clear TV" and its newscasts to Clear News. Meredith also assumed operating control of WPCH-TV in 2011, purchasing the station outright in 2017. Over the course of its news-producing history, the station has generally been a revolving door of management and presenting talent with little ratings success.

The acquisition of Meredith by Gray Television in 2021 has resulted in an increased infusion of resources into the station's newsroom as well as other investments by Gray in Atlanta-area media. As part of a wide-scale rebrand of its news service to Atlanta News First, WGCL-TV changed its call sign to WANF on September 30, 2022.[1]

History

As an independent station

Construction and CBN ownership

On January 23, 1968, the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), owned by evangelist Pat Robertson, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for authority to build a new television station on channel 46 in Atlanta.[2] The application was granted on May 5, 1968, but after several changes in the proposed studio location, the station began broadcasting on June 6, 1971, as WHAE-TV from leased studio facilities in the Protestant Radio and TV Center on Clifton Road.[3] Originally, it operated for six hours a day on weekdays and twelve on Sundays.[4] It was largely an unprofitable operation with, as John Carman writing for The Atlanta Constitution put it, "no particular interest in profits". On September 3, 1977, WHAE-TV changed its call sign to WANX-TV, with a station spokesman stating it wanted "a new identity" and a "fresh start".[5] [6]

Over the course of the 1970s and early 1980s, WHAE-TV/WANX-TV, like other CBN independent stations, eventually adopted a program schedule consisting of older, "family-friendly" classic shows as well as some religious programming, such as CBN's The 700 Club. Movies, a common staple of independents, had been completely absent from the station's lineup until 1974, when the outlet moved into studios on Briarcliff Road that had been vacated by WATL (channel 36), which had been temporarily shuttered in 1971, and thereafter owned by Production 70s, a video production house that declared bankruptcy.[7] [8] This facility had been built around a 1916 red clapboard house. It also began to operate on a more commercial basis in 1980, following a restructuring of the CBN media operation into the commercially authorized Continental Broadcasting Network,[9] [10] turning its first-ever profit in 1982. By 1983, it had tied WTBS (channel 17), Ted Turner's independent-turned-superstation, in the local ratings, and The 700 Club was the only religious program on its weekday lineup.[11]

Tribune ownership

In July 1983, Tribune Broadcasting of Chicago announced it would spend $32 million to purchase WANX-TV from CBN. It was the company's fifth station, purchased as CBN was seeking to raise money for other operations and retire some of its debts.[12] On March 15, 1984, the call sign was changed to WGNX, stated to be a mixture of the call signs of Tribune stations WGN-TV in Chicago and WPIX in New York City.[13]

WGNX emerged as the number-one local independent in Atlanta under Tribune's ownership. A reported $40 million in program expenditures lifted costs market-wide for syndicated shows and gave channel 46 a stronger lineup.[14] With $19 million in revenue for 1985, WGNX more than doubled the billing of its primary competitor, WATL.[15] WATL, which engineered its own rise to viability in the late 1980s, and WGNX gave Atlanta its first serious local independent stations.[16] Atlanta Hawks basketball moved from WVEU (channel 69) to WGNX in the 1986–87 season.[17]

In November 1993, Tribune committed to the new WB Television Network, to be launched by Warner Bros. Television in January 1995. Tribune would hold an ownership stake, and six of the company's seven independent stations, including WGNX, were initially to join at launch.[18]

As a CBS station

A last-minute big switch

See main article: 1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment.

On May 23, 1994, New World Communications signed a long-term agreement to affiliate its nine CBS-, ABC- or NBC-affiliated television stations with Fox, which had just acquired the television rights to the National Football Conference (NFC) of the National Football League. New World had a uniquely suited portfolio for Fox. Many of its stations were CBS affiliates in NFC markets—including Atlanta, where it owned WAGA-TV (channel 5); Fox would sell WATL, which it had purchased and where a news department had been partially set up.[19]

Rumors began to circulate wildly in the local industry following the announcement of the New World/Fox deal. General manager Herman Ramsey wrote a memo to his staff: "Have you ever heard so many rumors in a week and a half? ... I believe that the likelihood of WGNX affiliating with any network other than Warner Brothers in January '95 is small."[20] Behind the scenes, however, Ramsey was lobbying Tribune to pursue the CBS affiliation for WGNX.[21]

By September, CBS had not found a replacement affiliate in Atlanta even though WAGA was due to join Fox at the end of the year. More or less out of desperation, CBS purchased WVEU for $22 million.[22] However, CBS only took cursory steps toward closing the purchase in hopes of finding a higher-profile outlet in Atlanta, even if it was only an affiliate. It continued to negotiate with Fox and Tribune. By mid-November, with only a month to go before WAGA was due to switch to Fox, CBS had not filed paperwork to purchase channel 69 at the FCC and refused to confirm that it was still moving forward with the deal.[23]

On November 16, CBS announced that it would not be moving to WVEU but instead to WGNX. CBS preferred to have its programming on a station that already aired local news, and WGNX was the only independent station in the market with a functioning news department.[24] Had CBS moved its programming to WVEU, it would have faced the prospect of a sharp drop in local ratings for the CBS Evening News until it could build a local news department for channel 69.[25] Setting up a news department would have been a part of an unprecedented campaign to promote WVEU and build its facilities to a level commensurate with its new status as a CBS owned and operated station. One consultant interviewed by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution estimated CBS would have had to spend close to $100 million to build out WVEU.[26]

As part of the deal, CBS agreed to buy WVEU and immediately put it back on the market.[27] Additionally, WATL was sold to Qwest Broadcasting (a joint venture between music producer Quincy Jones, former NFL defensive end Willie Davis, television producer Don Cornelius, television host Geraldo Rivera, and Tribune) in a two-station, $167-million deal, affiliating with The WB.[28]

WGNX became Atlanta's new CBS affiliate on December 11, 1994.[29] The Atlanta Hawks immediately moved to WATL.[30]

One problem CBS would have faced with its planned move to WVEU remained unchanged with the move to WGNX-the loss of viewership in northeastern Georgia. The move to a UHF signal that did not reach as far as WAGA-TV's VHF signal left 72,000 viewers unable to watch CBS programming over-the-air. This shortfall was resolved in October 1995, when the network affiliated with WNEG-TV in Toccoa. While licensed to a city in the Greenville–Spartanburg, South Carolina–Asheville, North Carolina market, WNEG-TV reached an area underserved by the network.[31] [32]

Meredith ownership

On August 23, 1998, Tribune Broadcasting announced it would sell WGNX to the Meredith Corporation for $370 million, as a three-way exchange deal in which Tribune would concurrently acquire Fox affiliate KCPQ in Tacoma, Washington, from Kelly Broadcasting.[33] [34] [35] The trade made sense for Tribune and Meredith. Tribune's portfolio of stations at this point consisted entirely of Fox and WB affiliates outside of WGNX, and Meredith already owned several CBS stations, with Atlanta becoming its largest TV station and representing a rare opportunity to acquire a major station in a top-10 media market.[36] [37]

Meredith began to make aggressive changes in an attempt to turn around the laggard WGNX, a station described by Mediaweek magazine as "somewhat untended".[38] Having long since outgrown its studio in Briarcliff, channel 46 began construction of new studios in Midtown as part of a plan to increase news output from 90 minutes a day to five hours.[39]

On July 4, 2000, to reflect these changes, WGNX changed its station branding from "CBS Atlanta"—adopted the year prior in a recognition that the station was not channel 46 on cable[40] —to "Clear TV" and adopted the call sign WGCL-TV.[41] The station began broadcasting its newscasts from the Midtown studio on March 25, 2001.[42]

After the resignation of Allen Shaklan, WGNX/WGCL-TV's first general manager under Meredith, in 2002,[43] the station dropped the "Clear News" format and hired Sue Schwartz, who had last run KTVK in Phoenix.[44] Kevin O'Brien, president of Meredith's television station group, identified turning WGCL-TV around as the company's number one priority.

Beginning in 2009, Meredith began to hub master control operations for its two other southeastern stations—WHNS in Greenville, South Carolina, and WSMV-TV in Nashville—at WGCL-TV.[45] By 2011, the hub was handling eight of Meredith's twelve stations.[46]

On January 18, 2011, Meredith Corporation entered into a local marketing agreement with the Turner Broadcasting System, owner of WPCH-TV, to assume operational control of the station and move its operations to the WGCL-TV studios.[47] Production of the station's 45 Atlanta Braves broadcasts was also transferred from Turner Sports to Fox Sports South as a result.[47] Meredith purchased the station outright from Turner's corporate parent, Time Warner, in 2017; as the only broadcast license held by the company, its divestiture was intended to remove a potential hurdle to the acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T.[48] [49] From 2011 to 2013, WGCL-TV was the preseason television home of the Atlanta Falcons, with games moving to WUPA in 2014.[50]

Sale to Gray Television; relaunch as Atlanta News First

On May 3, 2021, locally based Gray Television announced its intent to purchase the Meredith Local Media division, including WGCL-TV and WPCH, for $2.7 billion. The sale was completed on December 1.[51] For Gray, a company whose Georgia roots date to 1897, channel 46 became the company's flagship property and a springboard for major investments in Atlanta-area media. In 2022, Gray spent $30 million[52] to acquire WKTB-CD, Atlanta's Telemundo affiliate and the largest independently owned Telemundo outlet in the eastern United States, and co-owned Surge Digital Media, a boutique digital advertising agency; former owner Susan Sim Oh joined Gray at the conclusion of the sale,[53] [54] and Gray announced plans to relocate Telemundo Atlanta from its studios in Duluth to WGCL-TV.[55] It also acquired WKSY-LD, a low-power station licensed to Summerville and Trion.[56]

In addition, in 2021, Gray acquired Third Rail Studios, a film and television production facility located on the site of the former General Motors Doraville Assembly plant in Doraville;[57] it then announced a partnership with NBCUniversal to run Third Rail and a major expansion of the Assembly complex slated to be completed in 2023.[58]

On August 31, 2022, Gray announced that WGCL-TV and WPCH's news programs would take on the umbrella brand of Atlanta News First, with WGCL-TV additionally changing its call sign to WANF, on September 30.[59] In interviews, multiple station executives commented that they did not consider this a "rebranding" but a "branding"; in their view, channel 46 had no brand at all when Gray took over. According to general manager Erik Schrader, Gray wanted to bill WANF as a station with a very deep connection to Atlanta and which was owned by a locally headquartered company.[60]

Gray and the Atlanta Hawks reached a deal in December 2023 to broadcast 10 games during the 2023–24 NBA season, primarily on Friday nights. All ten games will air on WPCH, with two of them simulcast by WANF. All games will be produced by Bally Sports Southeast.[61]

News operation

Independent era

Even after Tribune—with its independent news operations in Chicago, New York, and Denver—acquired channel 46, launching a news department was not immediately on the station's radar due to its expense. However, ratings began to rise, and after must carry rules for TV stations on cable systems were removed in 1987, management felt that WGNX needed to differentiate itself from cable channels to retain carriage. At one meeting, Tribune Broadcasting president Jim Dowdle asked general manager Ramsey while standing in the station parking lot, "Don't get excited, not now, but if we were to put a newsroom in that building, where would it go?"[62] After research showed enthusiasm for a possible newscast, the station prepared a cost-analysis to present to Tribune.

In July 1988, Tribune approved WGNX to start a 30-minute local newscast to air at 10 p.m. seven days a week.[63] After an investment of several million dollars, Georgia's News at Ten began broadcasting on January 15, 1989; prior to its launch, Atlanta had been the largest market in the United States without an independent prime time newscast.[64] The newscast, which focused on longer reports, won awards from journalists' organizations and increased its ratings; in June 1990, it expanded to an hour when USA Tonight, a nationally syndicated news program produced by Tribune, was discontinued.[65]

Changes with CBS and Clear News

When WGNX became a CBS affiliate, the 10 p.m. newscast moved to 11 p.m.,[66] and a briefly aired 7:30 p.m. newscast was dropped. Over the course of the next several years, the station slowly expanded its news output, with noon and 7 p.m. local newscasts in 1995;[67] the latter moved to 6 p.m. in 1996.[68]

In 1997, one series of billboards for the station featured news anchors Karyn Greer and John McKnight next to the words "NAME 'EM", daring viewers to take an interest in the relative unknowns on channel 46; the station's newscasts were being outrated by other stations' presentations of syndicated programs including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, and M*A*S*H.[69] By 1999, when Meredith took over, the 6 p.m. local news ranked seventh out of all seven major commercial stations in Atlanta in that time slot, and Allen Shaklan, the new general manager, noted that his station existed "below people's horizon of visibility".[70] The station was producing just 90 minutes of news a day in three half-hour newscasts.

In 2000, as part of the image overhaul, with the new WGCL-TV call sign came a new moniker, Clear News, and a format focused on more substantive stories with fewer murders, fires, and accidents.[71] The station also began airing a two-hour morning newscast and a 5 p.m. news hour as it was able to expand ahead of its move to Midtown.[72] With the move, the station adopted a new green and gold set and theme music that was an orchestration of I Can See Clearly Now. However, Clear News was dismantled after the 2002 resignation of Allen Shaklan,[43] and Sue Schwartz rebranded the station as "CBS 46, Atlanta's News Channel", with some limited initial success.[73]

By 2005, the station had canceled its 5 p.m. newscast to focus on the less crowded 4 p.m. market and cut back its morning news presence to bolster its evening newscasts, which had the benefit of lead-ins from CBS prime time ratings.[74] It then returned a 5 p.m. newscast in 2010, by which time it had expanded its morning newscast to hours.[75]

The station usually came in fourth place in Atlanta's news ratings behind WSB, WAGA and WXIA.[76] Shortly before Gray closed on its purchase of WGCL-TV, Rodney Ho of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution described the station as "a bit of a revolving door news operation", noting that it was about to have its ninth news director since 2007.[77]

Gray news expansions

After purchasing WGCL-TV–WPCH, Gray announced expansions in the news staff and offerings of the WGCL-TV newsroom, which was staffed by 50 to 60 people at the time Meredith sold it. In March 2022, Gray declared its intent to add 40 more news employees as well as 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. local newscasts;[78] the staffing expansion ultimately materialized as an increase of 50. Two months later, WGCL-TV added a 7 p.m. newscast and began producing a 7–9 a.m. morning newscast for air on WPCH-TV, bringing the total weekday news output across the two stations to 11 hours a day.[79] According to Schrader, Gray intended for channel 46 to be a "community-focused local news service" that emphasized breaking news, investigative journalism, and weather coverage.[80] Both station and corporate executives said these moves were natural given Gray's longstanding emphasis on local news; news director Kim Saxon pointed out that Gray CEO Hilton Howell regularly watched channel 46's newscasts. The changes culminated in the implementation of the new Atlanta News First brand. A two-hour prime time news block also airs at 9 p.m. on WPCH-TV.[81]

In its first spring sweeps as Atlanta News First, WANF finished fourth at 6 p.m. with only 34,000 viewers, barely half the viewership commanded by market-leading WSB-TV but within 4,000 viewers of third-place WXIA. Its 11 p.m. newscast was a distant fourth with 6,400 viewers, not even half of third-place WXIA's total.[81]

Notable current on-air staff

Notable former on-air staff

Technical information

Subchannels

The station's signal is multiplexed:

Channel! scope = "col"
Res.AspectShort nameProgramming
46.1 WANF Main WANF programming / CBS
46.2 COZI Cozi TV
46.3 Grit Grit
WKTB Telemundo (WKTB-CD)
17.11080i 16:9 WPCH-TV WPCH-TV (The CW)
17.4480i WPCH-SD WPCH-TV in SD

Cozi TV and Grit were added as subchannels in 2015.[90] [91]

WPCH-TV is Atlanta's ATSC 3.0 (Next Gen TV) station, transmitting its own ATSC 3.0 signal as well as those of the market's four major network affiliates (WSB, WAGA, WXIA and WANF). WANF in turn transmits WPCH's primary subchannel.

Analog-to-digital conversion

As WGCL-TV, this station ended regular programming over UHF channel 46 on June 12, 2009, as part of the federally mandated transition from analog to digital television; it retained its digital signal on UHF channel 19, using virtual channel 46.[92] The analog signal continued to operate for another two weeks, until June 26, to broadcast information regarding the transition to digital television under the SAFER Act.[93]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Atlanta News First comes to northern Georgia . October 1, 2022 . Atlanta News First . August 31, 2022 . en . September 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930164605/https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2022/08/31/atlanta-news-first-coming-north-georgia/ . live .
  2. Web site: FCC History Cards for WANF. Federal Communications Commission. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081303/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff38137a829018138b18b83000e. live.
  3. News: George Ivey, Channel 46: Atlantan Helping Pioneer Religious TV Station Here. 20-D. Carolyn. Flynt. The Atlanta Journal. GenealogyBank. October 14, 1970. September 8, 2022. September 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220908080705/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//cgtlrhhkduxzjbfproxxtfikgywubpvt_wma-gateway001_1662615814154. live.
  4. News: Atlanta to Get New TV Station. May 27, 1971. 11E. UPI. The Macon News. Macon, Georgia. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081314/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141521/atlanta-to-get-new-tv-station/. live.
  5. News: Local Stations Plan Only a Few Changes In 'Fringe' Access Time. September 3, 1977. 28-T, 29-T. Paul. Jones. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141966/local-stations-plan-only-a-few-changes/. live.
  6. News: Sights and Sounds: 'Washington' Likely a Smash In the Ratings. Bob. Goodman. The Atlanta Journal. 8-D. September 2, 1977. GenealogyBank. September 8, 2022. September 8, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220908105234/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//eeabuofkphgkegvhnddhvfiuhwyclkpv_wma-gateway009_1662616390087. live.
  7. News: Retail Credit, 70s, Ackerman to Expand. February 1, 1972. 10-C. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107294323/retail-credit-70s-ackerman-to-expand/. live.
  8. News: Add Movies, Documentaries: TV Independents Make Changes. August 26, 1974. 2-C. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141707/add-movies-documentaries-tv/. live.
  9. News: Fourth TV Network Eyed By Minister. November 10, 1978. 2-B. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081321/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143011/fourth-tv-network-eyed-by-minister/. live.
  10. News: Ch. 46 Reducing Religion Tilt For News And Games. September 17, 1980. 1-B, 6-B. Richard. Zoglin. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022.
  11. News: Born-again WANX loudly proclaims a boost in ratings. April 27, 1983. 1B. John. Carman. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081322/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91117524/born-again-wanx-loudly-proclaims-a/. live.
  12. News: Chicago firm to buy WANX-Channel 46 in $32 million deal. July 27, 1983. 1C. Beau. Cutts. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143162/chicago-firm-to-buy-wanx-channel-46-in/. live.
  13. News: Channel 46 is switching to WGNX. March 1, 1984. 19-C. John. Carman. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141996/channel-46-is-switching-to-wgnx/. live.
  14. News: The big-bucks battle for top TV shows. August 19, 1985. 1C, 14C. Keith. Herndon. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107012997/the-big-bucks-battle-for-top-tv-shows/. live.
  15. News: Betting on a WATL-TV turnaround. April 22, 1986. 1-B, 7-B. Keith. Herndon. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72166154/betting-on-a-watl-tv-turnaround/. live.
  16. News: . The Dawning of Independents. Atlanta Business. Russell. Shaw. 118. October 1988.
  17. News: Hawks adding 30 games on TV in a new deal with Channel 46. August 6, 1986. 2C. Darrell. Simmons. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081256/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250005/hawks-adding-30-games-on-tv-in-a-new/. live.
  18. News: Warner details hybrid WB Network. . November 8, 1993. Broadcasting & Cable. 26, 28. Joe. Flint. August 9, 2022. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151335/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-08.pdf. live.
  19. News: TV shake-up in Atlanta; Keep your remote control handy this fall. May 24, 1994. A1, A4. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849522/tv-shake-up-in-atlanta-keep-your/. live.
  20. News: CBS scrambling for affiliate in Atlanta: Rumors rampant after Fox's raid. June 4, 1994. C3. Jeffry. Scott. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144196/cbs-scrambling-for-affiliate-in/. live.
  21. News: Poor Dave. February 26, 1995. N1, N5. Jeffry. Scott. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081327/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144412/poor-dave/. live.
  22. News: Clearing up the local TV picture: Price was right: But will viewers follow CBS to Channel 69?. September 24, 1994. B1. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 7, 2022. August 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107110760/clearing-up-the-local-tv-picture-price/. live.
  23. News: CBS pursuing a channel switch. November 8, 1994. C8. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 7, 2022. August 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060638/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014562/cbs-pursuing-a-channel-switch/. live.
  24. News: Channel surfing: CBS to flip from 69 to 46. November 16, 1994. A1. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 7, 2022. August 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060618/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107111175/channel-surfing-cbs-to-flip-from-69-to/. live.
  25. News: CBS Buys 2 UHF Stations To Serve Atlanta and Detroit. Bill. Carter. The New York Times. September 24, 1994.
  26. News: CBS switch 'n' buy to cost megabucks. September 27, 1994. D10. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 7, 2022. August 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060620/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014391/cbs-switch-n-buy-to-cost-megabucks/. live.
  27. News: The networks go channel surfing. November 17, 1994. F1. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 7, 2022. August 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060623/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014650/the-networks-go-channel-surfing/. live.
  28. News: Deal boosts minority TV presence. Tim Jones. Mike Dorning. Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. November 17, 1994. October 16, 2018. October 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001713/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-11-17-9411170368-story.html. live.
  29. News: Exchanging channels: Network switch mixes things up. December 9, 1994. P24. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081239/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250239/exchanging-channels-network-switch/. live.
  30. News: Hawks could go for Cadillac, but not at that asking price. December 10, 1994. B2. Jeffrey. Denberg. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081325/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250231/hawks-could-go-for-cadillac-but-not-at/. live.
  31. Web site: Memorandum Opinion and Order. Federal Communications Commission. March 5, 2024. October 30, 1997.
  32. News: WSPA parent to run Georgia TV stations. September 16, 1995. 8B. Paul. Davidson. The Greenville News. Greenville, South Carolina. Newspapers.com. March 6, 2024.
  33. Web site: 'Get big or get out'. . John M.. Higgins. John M. Higgins. Broadcasting & Cable. Cahners Business Information. American Radio History. 10. August 31, 1998. September 22, 2018.
  34. Web site: Changing Hands. Broadcasting & Cable. Cahners Business Information. American Radio History. 54. September 28, 1998. September 22, 2018. .
  35. News: Meredith to buy WGNX in station exchange. Atlanta Business Chronicle. American City Business Journals. August 24, 1998. September 22, 2018. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081300/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/1998/08/24/daily2.html. live.
  36. News: WGNX to be acquired by Meredith. August 25, 1998. D1. Charles. Haddad. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081252/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107015147/wgnx-to-be-acquired-by-meredith/. live.
  37. News: Meredith betting on opportunity in WGNX. August 25, 1998. D2. Charles. Haddad. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107015179/meredith-betting-on-opportunity-in-wgnx/. live.
  38. News: Megan. Larson. 18. Mediaweek. Shaklan plans to rebuild WGNX's little red house. . March 8, 1999.
  39. News: WGNX plans to build digital television station in Midtown. July 1, 1999. F2. Charles. Haddad. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081240/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250682/wgnx-plans-to-build-digital-television/. live.
  40. News: CBS's singsong radio spot. September 24, 1999. E2. Richard L.. Eldredge. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081252/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250771/cbss-singsong-radio-spot/. live.
  41. News: CBS affiliate to switch call letters on July 4. June 10, 2000. F4. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250739/cbs-affiliate-to-switch-call-letters-on/. live.
  42. News: At new location, WGCL says look to be 'markedly different'. March 16, 2001. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. C3. Phil. Kloer. Newspapers.com. August 10, 2022. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003164235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107352611/at-new-location-wgcl-says-look-to-be/. live.
  43. News: General manager quits at CBS affiliate WGCL. February 15, 2002. F4. Matt. Kempner. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081315/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250786/general-manager-quits-at-cbs-affiliate/. live.
  44. News: News laggard WGCL hires station chief. April 17, 2002. D3. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250799/news-laggard-wgcl-hires-station-chief/. live.
  45. News: Meredith Sets Up Atlanta Hub. Broadcasting & Cable. March 4, 2009. March 5, 2009. September 30, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120930202051/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/189481-Meredith_Sets_Up_Atlanta_Hub.php. dead.
  46. News: WGCL Takes Over Management of Turner's Peachtree TV. January 18, 2011. Michael. Malone. Broadcasting & Cable. August 9, 2022. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003164236/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-takes-over-management-turners-peachtree-tv-42697. live.
  47. News: Swartz. Kristi E.. Parent of CBS Atlanta to take over operations of Peachtree TV. January 18, 2011. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 18, 2011. January 20, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110120111620/http://www.ajc.com/business/parent-of-cbs-atlanta-807725.html. dead.
  48. News: Meredith purchases Peachtree TV from Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting System. Rodney. Ho. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. February 23, 2017. February 26, 2017. February 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170226045906/http://radiotvtalk.blog.myajc.com/2017/02/23/meredith-purchases-peachtree-tv-from-time-warnerturner-broadcasting-system/. live.
  49. Web site: Time Warner TV-Station Sale Approved, Easing AT&T Deal Path. Shields. Todd. Bloomberg L.P.. April 17, 2017. April 24, 2017. May 17, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170517170453/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-17/time-warner-tv-station-sale-is-approved-easing-way-to-at-t-deal. live.
  50. News: Falcons move to Star 94, 790 The Zone. Atlanta Business Chronicle. March 7, 2011. August 9, 2022. January 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210123220826/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/03/07/falcons-move-to-star-94-790-the-zone.html. live.
  51. Gray Television Closes on Acquisition of Meredith Corporation's Local Media Group . . . December 1, 2021 . December 1, 2021 . December 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211201211325/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/12/01/2344524/0/en/GRAY-TELEVISION-CLOSES-ON-ACQUISITION-OF-MEREDITH-CORPORATION-S-LOCAL-MEDIA-GROUP.html . live .
  52. News: Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $30,030,000. February 9, 2022. TVNewsCheck. August 9, 2022. March 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220307224342/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-30030000/. live.
  53. News: February 7, 2022. Rodney. Ho. EXCLUSIVE: Atlanta's Gray Television, in acquisition mode, buys Telemundo Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 9, 2022. February 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220225202819/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/exclusive-atlantas-gray-television-in-acquisition-mode-buys-telemundo-atlanta/5ZOPRQSDABC5JB7IXAFKICF3ZQ/. live.
  54. News: Gray Closes Its Purchase Of WKTB-CD Atlanta. April 1, 2022. Mark K.. Miller. TVNewsCheck. August 9, 2022. June 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220604231534/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-closes-its-purchase-of-wktb-cd-atlanta/. live.
  55. News: Gray Television diversifies its portfolio with purchase of Telemundo Atlanta. Atlanta Business Chronicle. Donnell. Suggs. February 14, 2022. August 9, 2022. February 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220215145032/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2022/02/14/telemundo-atlanta-gray-television-korean-hispanic.html. live.
  56. News: April 13, 2022 . Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $375,000 . en . TVNewsCheck . September 1, 2022 . September 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902014125/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-375000/ . live .
  57. News: Gray Television to purchase Third Rail Studios in Doraville. August 17, 2021. Zachary. Hansen. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 9, 2022. August 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210819155537/https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/dekalb/gray-television-to-purchase-third-rail-studios-in-doraville/WFSYMAZT2ZD5PGBCM32JAQRI5E/. live.
  58. News: NBCUniversal will operate huge new Assembly film studio in Doraville. June 1, 2022. Rodney. Ho. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 9, 2022. June 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220616203135/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/nbcuniversal-will-operate-huge-new-assembly-film-studio-in-doraville/RMEBV6Q5C5GXJAURANK7VVMT2M/. live.
  59. News: August 31, 2022 . Atlanta News First Arriving In Northern Georgia . TVNewsCheck . August 31, 2022 . August 31, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220831182821/https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/atlanta-news-first-arriving-in-northern-georgia/ . live .
  60. News: Gray Launches 'Atlanta News First' Brand, Changes Call Letters. Paul. Greeley. TVNewsCheck. October 3, 2022. October 3, 2022. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003201422/https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/03/gray-launches-atlanta-news-first-brand-changes-call-letters/. live.
  61. Atlanta Hawks Partner with Gray’s Peachtree TV to Broadcast 10 Games Free, Over the Air. NBA.com. December 30, 2023.
  62. News: Electronic Media. How one local station set up news operation. J8. Russell. Shaw. November 28, 1988.
  63. News: Channel 46 Receives Go-Ahead for News Show. July 2, 1988. 2C. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081256/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143648/channel-46-receives-go-ahead-for-news/. live.
  64. News: Channel 46 Newscast Is Here 'Forever,' Station Exec Says. January 26, 1989. 1C, 6C. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081319/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143834/channel-46-newscast-is-here-forever/. live.
  65. News: 'News at 10' wins respect as it expands. June 25, 1990. 1B, 4B. Gerry. Yandel. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081302/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143969/news-at-10-wins-respect-as-it-expands/. live.
  66. News: Beckman to return to TV on WGNX. December 30, 1994. D2. Jeffry. Scott. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081315/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250211/beckman-to-return-to-tv-on-wgnx/. live.
  67. News: While others shuffled, Channel 2 sped ahead. May 29, 1995. C8. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250261/while-others-shuffled-channel-2-sped/. live.
  68. News: It's the Games that never end. August 7, 1996. E4. Bob. Longino. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250516/its-the-games-that-never-end/. live.
  69. News: Commuters, readers can play WGNX game. June 27, 1997. F4. Drew. Jubera. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250391/commuters-readers-can-play-wgnx-game/. live.
  70. News: Seeking a boost: Changes on tap at WGNX. March 3, 1999. C1. Phil. Kloer. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081303/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250702/seeking-a-boost-changes-on-tap-at-wgnx/. live.
  71. News: . WGCL's fresh news approach pays off. Gilbert. Nicholson. Bryan. Walsh. Mediaweek. 11. July 17, 2000.
  72. News: Atlanta. . ProQuest. October 2, 2000. 20–24. Eileen. Davis Hudson. Mediaweek.
  73. News: A24. Atlanta Business Chronicle. Overhaul helping parent of Atlanta's WGCL-TV. . October 3, 2003. Jim. Lovel.
  74. News: . Atlanta. Eileen. Davis Hudson. Mediaweek. 9–13. July 11, 2005.
  75. News: WGCL Atlanta Goes Live at 5. Michael. Malone. August 22, 2010. Broadcasting & Cable. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235407/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-atlanta-goes-live-5-42497. live.
  76. News: Ho . Rodney . Atlanta TV ratings: WSB-TV dominates most of the day in local news and programming . . October 19, 2018 . October 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019121757/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/atlanta-ratings-wsb-dominates-most-the-day-local-news-and-programming/x2rAXgedvRaOTvsyNbZjMO/ . live .
  77. News: Latest CBS46 departures: anchor/reporter Ashley Thompson and news director Matt King. Rodney. Ho. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 22, 2021. August 9, 2022. June 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220614053813/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/latest-cbs46-departures-anchorreporter-ashley-thompson-and-news-director-matt-king/ZGBHWCMDZVHF5L56EARQSDN4P4/. live.
  78. News: CBS46 plans 40+ person expansion of newsroom. Rodney. Ho. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. March 11, 2022. August 9, 2022. April 18, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418205844/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/cbs46-plans-40-person-expansion-of-newsroom/E5I6POCW5RCDPFAIAFZ2DWEOZE/. live.
  79. News: WGCL-WPCH Atlanta Expand Newscasts. May 5, 2022. Mark K.. Miller. TVNewsCheck. August 9, 2022. July 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220705074130/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wgcl-wpch-atlanta-expand-newscasts/. live.
  80. News: Atlanta News First Arriving In Northern Georgia. TVNewsCheck. August 31, 2022.
  81. News: Malone . Michael . March 1, 2023 . Local News Close-Up: Hotlanta Still Simmering . July 30, 2023 . Broadcasting + Cable . en.
  82. News: WGCL Anchors Folbaum, Gables Helm 'CBS Evening News' April 18–19. Broadcasting & Cable. April 17, 2020. Michael. Malone. August 9, 2022. June 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210617214605/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-anchors-folbaum-gables-helm-cbs-evening-news-april-18-19. live.
  83. News: Monica Kaufman Pearson, Veteran Atlanta Anchor, on Board at WGCL-WPCH. December 9, 2021. Michael. Malone. Broadcasting & Cable. August 9, 2022. December 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211209143540/https://www.nexttv.com/news/veteran-anchor-monica-kaufman-pearson-on-board-at-wgcl-wpch-atlanta. live.
  84. News: Amanda Davis, Veteran Atlanta Morning News Anchor, Dies at 62. The Wrap. December 27, 2017. Debbie. Emery. August 9, 2022. January 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220104163448/https://www.thewrap.com/amanda-davis-veteran-morning-news-anchor-dies-at-62/. live.
  85. News: Leno to give O'Brien 'Tonight Show' in '09. September 28, 2004. E2. Richard L.. Eldredge. The Atlanta Constitution. Newspapers.com. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235408/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107294771/leno-to-give-obrien-tonight-show-in/. live.
  86. News: WGCL-TV officially announces Dagmar Midcap's departure. Rodney. Ho. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 7, 2010. August 9, 2022. August 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235409/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/wgcl-officially-announces-dagmar-midcap-departure/5O1sZ0j5vDNr4iVeuRjCpJ/. live.
  87. News: Former NBC News Anchor Thomas Roberts Is Returning to Broadcast News as Host of DailyMailTV. TVNewser. A. J.. Katz. August 14, 2020. August 9, 2022. March 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220307202850/https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/former-nbc-news-anchor-thomas-roberts-is-returning-to-broadcast-news-as-host-of-dailymailtv/451746/. live.
  88. News: Former CBS46 anchor Brandon Lee Rudat comes clean about drug addiction, being molested as a child. October 4, 2019. Rodney. Ho. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 9, 2022. October 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191006024023/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/former-cbs46-anchor-brandon-rudat-comes-clean-about-drug-addiction-being-molested-child/FIJBy78MzTQ5VqpPF7YPyM/. live.
  89. News: January 29, 2018. CBS46's Ben Swann fired after attempt to bring back Reality Check. Rodney. Ho. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. August 9, 2022. June 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180630115105/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/cbs46-ben-swann-fired-after-attempt-bring-back-reality-check/NeAW6LA1crpuxoGqmszkKP/. live.
  90. News: Meredith To Add Three Katz Diginets. March 20, 2015. TVNewsCheck. April 24, 2015. May 25, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150525012629/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83908/meredith-to-add-three-katz-diginets. live.
  91. News: Cozi TV Diginet Adds Eight Stations. March 23, 2015. TVNewsCheck. April 24, 2015. April 2, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091153/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83934/cozi-tv-diginet-adds-eight-stations. live.
  92. Web site: May 23, 2006 . DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the first and second rounds . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf . August 29, 2013 . August 29, 2021 . Federal Communications Commission.
  93. Web site: UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program. Federal Communications Commission. June 12, 2009. May 2, 2024.

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