View source for WANF

{{Short description|TV station in Atlanta}}
{{redirect|CBS 46|the station in Monterey, California|KION-TV}}
{{Redirect|WANX-TV|the TV station that held this call sign from 2000 to 2007|WTBS-LD}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox television station
| callsign = WANF
| logo = Atlanta News First logo 2022.svg
| 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
| affiliations = {{ubl|'''46.1:''' [[CBS]]|''for others, see {{section link||Subchannels}}''}}
| owner = [[Gray Television]]
| licensee = Gray Television Licensee, [[LLC]]
| location = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| country = United States
| airdate = {{start date and age|1971|6|6|p=y|br=yes}}
| callsign_meaning = "Atlanta News First"
| sister_stations = [[WPCH-TV]], [[WKTB-CD]], [[WKSY-LD]]
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WHAE-TV (1971–1977)|WANX-TV (1977–1984)|WGNX (1984–2000)|WGCL-TV (2000–2022)}}
| former_channel_numbers = {{ubl|'''Analog:''' 46 (UHF, 1971–2009)}}
| former_affiliations = [[Independent station|Independent]] (1971–1994)
| erp = 1,000 [[kW]]
| haat = {{convert|329|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| facility_id = 72120
| coordinates = {{Coord|33|48|26.4|N|84|20|21.5|W|format=dms|type:landmark_region:US-GA|display=inline, title}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/}}
}}

'''WANF''' (channel 46) is a [[television station]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], United States, affiliated with [[CBS]]. It is the [[flagship (broadcasting)|flagship]] property of locally based [[Gray Television]] and is co-owned with [[The CW|CW]] affiliate [[WPCH-TV]] (channel 17) and [[low-power broadcasting#Television|low-power]], [[Class A television service|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta News First comes to northern Georgia |url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2022/08/31/atlanta-news-first-coming-north-georgia/ |access-date=October 1, 2022 |website=Atlanta News First |date=August 31, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930164605/https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2022/08/31/atlanta-news-first-coming-north-georgia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== 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.<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff38137a829018138b18b83000e|title=FCC History Cards for WANF|website=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081303/https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076ff38137a829018138b18b83000e|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.{{r|hc}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//cgtlrhhkduxzjbfproxxtfikgywubpvt_wma-gateway001_1662615814154|page=20-D|first=Carolyn|last=Flynt|work=[[The Atlanta Journal]]|via=GenealogyBank|date=October 14, 1970|title=George Ivey, Channel 46: Atlantan Helping Pioneer Religious TV Station Here|access-date=September 8, 2022|archive-date=September 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908080705/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//cgtlrhhkduxzjbfproxxtfikgywubpvt_wma-gateway001_1662615814154|url-status=live}}</ref> Originally, it operated for six hours a day on weekdays and twelve on Sundays.<ref name="Maco710527">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141521/atlanta-to-get-new-tv-station/|date=May 27, 1971|page=11E|agency=UPI|title=Atlanta to Get New TV Station|newspaper=The Macon News|location=Macon, Georgia|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081314/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141521/atlanta-to-get-new-tv-station/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> It was largely an unprofitable operation with, as John Carman writing for ''[[The Atlanta Constitution]]'' put it, "no particular interest in profits".{{r|Atla830427}} 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".<ref name="Atla770903">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141966/local-stations-plan-only-a-few-changes-i/|date=September 3, 1977|page=28-T, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141938/atlanta-preview-2/ 29-T]|first=Paul|last=Jones|title=Local Stations Plan Only a Few Changes In 'Fringe' Access Time|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141966/local-stations-plan-only-a-few-changes/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --><ref>{{cite news|title=Sights and Sounds: 'Washington' Likely a Smash In the Ratings|first=Bob|last=Goodman|work=The Atlanta Journal|page=8-D|date=September 2, 1977|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//eeabuofkphgkegvhnddhvfiuhwyclkpv_wma-gateway009_1662616390087|via=GenealogyBank|access-date=September 8, 2022|archive-date=September 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908105234/https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//eeabuofkphgkegvhnddhvfiuhwyclkpv_wma-gateway009_1662616390087|url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|CBN had filed to change the call sign two years prior, in 1975, to WXAT-TV. The FCC initially granted the call sign but set aside the grant in January 1976 upon receiving an objection from Radioad, Inc., owners of local radio station [[WAEC (AM)|WXAP (860 AM)]].{{r|hc}} One source mentioned in a 1984 newspaper article stated "ANX" stood for "Atlanta Needs Christ".{{r|Atla840301}}}}

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]]''.{{r|Atla770903}} 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.<ref name="Atla720201">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107294323/retail-credit-70s-ackerman-to-expand/|date=February 1, 1972|page=10-C|title=Retail Credit, 70s, Ackerman to Expand|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107294323/retail-credit-70s-ackerman-to-expand/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Atla740826">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141707/add-movies-documentaries-tv/|date=August 26, 1974|page=2-C|title=Add Movies, Documentaries: TV Independents Make Changes|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141707/add-movies-documentaries-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> This facility had been built around a 1916 red clapboard house.{{r|MW990308|MW000717}} 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,<ref name="Atla781110">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143011/fourth-tv-network-eyed-by-minister/|date=November 10, 1978|page=2-B|title=Fourth TV Network Eyed By Minister|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081321/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143011/fourth-tv-network-eyed-by-minister/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --><ref name="Atla800917">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107246217/ch-46-reducing-religion-tilt-for-news-a/|date=September 17, 1980|page=1-B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107246242/ 6-B]|first=Richard|last=Zoglin|title=Ch. 46 Reducing Religion Tilt For News And Games|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022}}</ref><!-- Wed --> turning its first-ever profit in 1982. By 1983, it had tied [[WPCH-TV|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.<ref name="Atla830427">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91117524/born-again-wanx-loudly-proclaims-a/|date=April 27, 1983|page=1B|first=John|last=Carman|title=Born-again WANX loudly proclaims a boost in ratings|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081322/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91117524/born-again-wanx-loudly-proclaims-a/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

==== 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.<ref name="Atla830727">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143162/chicago-firm-to-buy-wanx-channel-46-in/|date=July 27, 1983|page=1C|first=Beau|last=Cutts|title=Chicago firm to buy WANX-Channel 46 in $32 million deal|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143162/chicago-firm-to-buy-wanx-channel-46-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> 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]].<ref name="Atla840301">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141996/channel-46-is-switching-to-wgnx/|date=March 1, 1984|page=19-C|first=John|last=Carman|title=Channel 46 is switching to WGNX|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081251/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107141996/channel-46-is-switching-to-wgnx/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

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.<ref name="Atla850819">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107012997/the-big-bucks-battle-for-top-tv-shows/|date=August 19, 1985|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107012961/tv/ 14C]|first=Keith|last=Herndon|title=The big-bucks battle for top TV shows|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107012997/the-big-bucks-battle-for-top-tv-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> With $19 million in revenue for 1985, WGNX more than doubled the billing of its primary competitor, WATL.<ref name="Atla860422">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72166154/betting-on-a-watl-tv-turnaround/|date=April 22, 1986|page=1-B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72166272/ 7-B]|first=Keith|last=Herndon|title=Betting on a WATL-TV turnaround|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72166154/betting-on-a-watl-tv-turnaround/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> WATL, which engineered its own rise to viability in the late 1980s, and WGNX gave Atlanta its first serious local independent stations.<ref name="dawning">{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|216433189}}|title=The Dawning of Independents|work=Atlanta Business|first=Russell|last=Shaw|page=118|date=October 1988}}</ref> [[Atlanta Hawks]] basketball moved from [[WVEU]] (channel 69) to WGNX in the 1986–87 season.<ref name="Atla860806">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250005/hawks-adding-30-games-on-tv-in-a-new-dea/|date=August 6, 1986|page=2C|first=Darrell|last=Simmons|title=Hawks adding 30 games on TV in a new deal with Channel 46|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081256/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250005/hawks-adding-30-games-on-tv-in-a-new/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-08.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1016942122}}|date=November 8, 1993|work=Broadcasting & Cable|pages=26, 28|first=Joe|last=Flint|title=Warner details hybrid WB Network|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151335/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1993/BC-1993-11-08.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== As a CBS station ===

==== A last-minute big switch ====
{{Main|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 [[Fox NFL|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.<ref name="Atla940524">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849522/tv-shake-up-in-atlanta-keep-your/|date=May 24, 1994|page=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107110959/fox-where-will-viewers-find-cbs/ A4]|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=TV shake-up in Atlanta; Keep your remote control handy this fall|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31849522/tv-shake-up-in-atlanta-keep-your/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

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."<ref name="Atla940604">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144196/cbs-scrambling-for-affiliate-in/|date=June 4, 1994|page=C3|first=Jeffry|last=Scott|title=CBS scrambling for affiliate in Atlanta: Rumors rampant after Fox's raid|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144196/cbs-scrambling-for-affiliate-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> Behind the scenes, however, Ramsey was lobbying Tribune to pursue the CBS affiliation for WGNX.<ref name="Atla950226">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144412/poor-dave/|date=February 26, 1995|page=N1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144391/switch-one-networks-static-is-another/ N5]|first=Jeffry|last=Scott|title=Poor Dave|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081327/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144412/poor-dave/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sun -->

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.<ref name="Atla940924">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107110760/clearing-up-the-local-tv-picture-price/|date=September 24, 1994|page=B1|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=Clearing up the local TV picture: Price was right: But will viewers follow CBS to Channel 69?|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107110760/clearing-up-the-local-tv-picture-price/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> 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.<ref name="Atla941108">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014562/cbs-pursuing-a-channel-switch/|date=November 8, 1994|page=C8|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=CBS pursuing a channel switch|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060638/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014562/cbs-pursuing-a-channel-switch/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> 

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.<ref name="Atla941116">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107111175/channel-surfing-cbs-to-flip-from-69-to/|date=November 16, 1994|page=A1|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=Channel surfing: CBS to flip from 69 to 46|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060618/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107111175/channel-surfing-cbs-to-flip-from-69-to/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> 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.<ref name="NYT940924">{{cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/24/business/cbs-buys-2-uhf-stations-to-serve-atlanta-and-detroit.html|title= CBS Buys 2 UHF Stations To Serve Atlanta and Detroit|first=Bill|last=Carter|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 24, 1994}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Atla940927">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014391/cbs-switch-n-buy-to-cost-megabucks/|date=September 27, 1994|page=D10|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=CBS switch 'n' buy to cost megabucks|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060620/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014391/cbs-switch-n-buy-to-cost-megabucks/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --> 

As part of the deal, CBS agreed to buy WVEU and immediately put it back on the market.<ref name="Atla941117">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014650/the-networks-go-channel-surfing/|date=November 17, 1994|page=F1|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=The networks go channel surfing|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 7, 2022|archive-date=August 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807060623/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107014650/the-networks-go-channel-surfing/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> Additionally, WATL was sold to Qwest Broadcasting (a joint venture between music producer [[Quincy Jones]], former NFL defensive end [[Willie Davis (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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Deal boosts minority TV presence|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-11-17-9411170368-story.html|author=Tim Jones|author2=Mike Dorning|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|publisher=[[Tribune Publishing]]|date=November 17, 1994|access-date=October 16, 2018|archive-date=October 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017001713/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-11-17-9411170368-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

WGNX became Atlanta's new CBS affiliate on December 11, 1994.<ref name="Atla941209">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250239/exchanging-channels-network-switch-mixe/|date=December 9, 1994|page=P24|title=Exchanging channels: Network switch mixes things up|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081239/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250239/exchanging-channels-network-switch/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> The Atlanta Hawks immediately moved to WATL.<ref name="Atla941210">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250231/hawks-could-go-for-cadillac-but-not-at/|date=December 10, 1994|page=B2|first=Jeffrey|last=Denberg|title=Hawks could go for Cadillac, but not at that asking price|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081325/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250231/hawks-could-go-for-cadillac-but-not-at/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

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, Georgia|Toccoa]]. While licensed to a city in the [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]]–[[Spartanburg, South Carolina]]–[[Asheville, North Carolina]] market, WNEG-TV reached an area underserved by the network.<ref name="fcc-earlyhistory">{{cite web|title=Memorandum Opinion and Order|url=http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Mass_Media/Orders/1997/da972292.txt|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=March 5, 2024|date=October 30, 1997}}</ref><ref name="Gree950916">{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-wspa-parent-to-run-g/60713679/|date=September 16, 1995|page=8B|first=Paul|last=Davidson|title=WSPA parent to run Georgia TV stations|newspaper=The Greenville News|location=Greenville, South Carolina|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=March 6, 2024}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

==== Meredith ownership ====
[[File:WGCL-TV logo.svg|thumb|upright=0.7|CBS 46 logo, used from 2014 to 2022. Shown here is the 2020 variant.|alt=On a red rectangle, a white CBS eye next to a white number 46 in a condensed sans serif.]]
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.<ref>{{cite web|title='Get big or get out'|id={{ProQuest|1014769843}}|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/98-OCR/BC-1998-08-31-OCR-Page-0012.pdf|first=John M.|last=Higgins|author-link=John M. Higgins|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Cahners Business Information|via=American Radio History|page=10|date=August 31, 1998|access-date=September 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Changing Hands|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/98-OCR/BC-1998-09-28-OCR-Page-0054.pdf|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Cahners Business Information|via=American Radio History|page=54|date=September 28, 1998|access-date=September 22, 2018|id={{ProQuest|1014769666}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Meredith to buy WGNX in station exchange|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/1998/08/24/daily2.html|newspaper=Atlanta Business Chronicle|publisher=[[American City Business Journals]]|date=August 24, 1998|access-date=September 22, 2018|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081300/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/1998/08/24/daily2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Atla980825">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107015147/wgnx-to-be-acquired-by-meredith/|date=August 25, 1998|page=D1|first=Charles|last=Haddad|title=WGNX to be acquired by Meredith|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081252/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107015147/wgnx-to-be-acquired-by-meredith/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue --><ref name="Atla980825a">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107015179/meredith-betting-on-opportunity-in-wgnx/|date=August 25, 1998|page=D2|first=Charles|last=Haddad|title=Meredith betting on opportunity in WGNX|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081330/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107015179/meredith-betting-on-opportunity-in-wgnx/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->

Meredith began to make aggressive changes in an attempt to turn around the laggard WGNX, a station described by ''Mediaweek'' magazine as "somewhat untended".<ref name="MW990308">{{cite news|first=Megan|last=Larson|page=18|work=Mediaweek|title=Shaklan plans to rebuild WGNX's little red house|id={{ProQuest|213626224}}|date=March 8, 1999}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Atla990701">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250682/wgnx-plans-to-build-digital-television-s/|date=July 1, 1999|page=F2|first=Charles|last=Haddad|title=WGNX plans to build digital television station in Midtown|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081240/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250682/wgnx-plans-to-build-digital-television/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu -->

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<ref name="Atla990924">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250771/cbss-singsong-radio-spot/|date=September 24, 1999|page=E2|first=Richard L.|last=Eldredge|title=CBS's singsong radio spot|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081252/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250771/cbss-singsong-radio-spot/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->—to "Clear TV" and adopted the call sign WGCL-TV.<ref name="Atla000610">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250739/cbs-affiliate-to-switch-call-letters-on/|date=June 10, 2000|page=F4|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=CBS affiliate to switch call letters on July 4|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081301/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250739/cbs-affiliate-to-switch-call-letters-on/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> The station began broadcasting its newscasts from the Midtown studio on March 25, 2001.<ref name="Atla010316">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107352611/at-new-location-wgcl-says-look-to-be-m/|date=March 16, 2001|title=At new location, WGCL says look to be 'markedly different'|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|page=C3|first=Phil|last=Kloer|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 10, 2022|archive-date=October 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003164235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107352611/at-new-location-wgcl-says-look-to-be/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri -->

After the resignation of Allen Shaklan, WGNX/WGCL-TV's first general manager under Meredith, in 2002,<ref name="Atla020215">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250786/general-manager-quits-at-cbs-affiliate-w/|date=February 15, 2002|page=F4|first=Matt|last=Kempner|title=General manager quits at CBS affiliate WGCL|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081315/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250786/general-manager-quits-at-cbs-affiliate/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> the station dropped the "Clear News" format and hired Sue Schwartz, who had last run [[KTVK]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]].<ref name="Atla020417">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250799/news-laggard-wgcl-hires-station-chief/|date=April 17, 2002|page=D3|title=News laggard WGCL hires station chief|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250799/news-laggard-wgcl-hires-station-chief/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> Kevin O'Brien, president of Meredith's television station group, identified turning WGCL-TV around as the company's number one priority.{{r|ABC031003}}

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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meredith Sets Up Atlanta Hub|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|date=March 4, 2009|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/189481-Meredith_Sets_Up_Atlanta_Hub.php|access-date=March 5, 2009|archive-date=September 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930202051/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/189481-Meredith_Sets_Up_Atlanta_Hub.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> By 2011, the hub was handling eight of Meredith's twelve stations.<ref>{{cite news|title=WGCL Takes Over Management of Turner's Peachtree TV|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-takes-over-management-turners-peachtree-tv-42697|date=January 18, 2011|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=October 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003164236/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-takes-over-management-turners-peachtree-tv-42697|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref name="ajc-meredithcontrol">{{cite news|last=Swartz|first=Kristi E.|title=Parent of CBS Atlanta to take over operations of Peachtree TV|url=http://www.ajc.com/business/parent-of-cbs-atlanta-807725.html|access-date=January 18, 2011|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=January 18, 2011|archive-date=January 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120111620/http://www.ajc.com/business/parent-of-cbs-atlanta-807725.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Production of the station's 45 [[Atlanta Braves]] broadcasts was also transferred from [[Turner Sports]] to [[Fox Sports South]] as a result.<ref name="ajc-meredithcontrol"/> Meredith purchased the station outright from Turner's corporate parent, [[WarnerMedia|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]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Meredith purchases Peachtree TV from Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting System|url=http://radiotvtalk.blog.myajc.com/2017/02/23/meredith-purchases-peachtree-tv-from-time-warnerturner-broadcasting-system/|first=Rodney|last=Ho|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=February 23, 2017|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=February 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226045906/http://radiotvtalk.blog.myajc.com/2017/02/23/meredith-purchases-peachtree-tv-from-time-warnerturner-broadcasting-system/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-17/time-warner-tv-station-sale-is-approved-easing-way-to-at-t-deal|title=Time Warner TV-Station Sale Approved, Easing AT&T Deal Path|last=Shields|first=Todd|work=Bloomberg L.P.|date=April 17, 2017|access-date=April 24, 2017|archive-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}</ref> From 2011 to 2013, WGCL-TV was the preseason television home of the [[Atlanta Falcons]], with games moving to WUPA in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/03/07/falcons-move-to-star-94-790-the-zone.html|title=Falcons move to Star 94, 790 The Zone|work=Atlanta Business Chronicle|date=March 7, 2011|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123220826/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/03/07/falcons-move-to-star-94-790-the-zone.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Sale to Gray Television; relaunch as ''Atlanta News First'' ====
{{Quote box
| quote = This is their home market. It will be their emblem market. They want this sucker to succeed.
| author = Michael Castengera
| source = retired news consultant and University of Georgia professor{{r|AJC220311}}
| align = right
| width = 250px
| salign = right
}}

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.<ref name=meredithdone>{{cite press release |url=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 |title=Gray Television Closes on Acquisition of Meredith Corporation's Local Media Group |agency=[[Globe Newswire]] |publisher=[[Gray Television]] |date=December 1, 2021 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-30030000/|date=February 9, 2022|title=Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $30,030,000|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=March 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307224342/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-30030000/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{cite news|date=February 7, 2022|first=Rodney|last=Ho|url=https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/exclusive-atlantas-gray-television-in-acquisition-mode-buys-telemundo-atlanta/5ZOPRQSDABC5JB7IXAFKICF3ZQ/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Atlanta's Gray Television, in acquisition mode, buys Telemundo Atlanta|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225202819/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/exclusive-atlantas-gray-television-in-acquisition-mode-buys-telemundo-atlanta/5ZOPRQSDABC5JB7IXAFKICF3ZQ/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-closes-its-purchase-of-wktb-cd-atlanta/|date=April 1, 2022|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|title=Gray Closes Its Purchase Of WKTB-CD Atlanta|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604231534/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/gray-closes-its-purchase-of-wktb-cd-atlanta/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Gray announced plans to relocate Telemundo Atlanta from its studios in [[Duluth, Georgia|Duluth]] to WGCL-TV.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2022/02/14/telemundo-atlanta-gray-television-korean-hispanic.html|title=Gray Television diversifies its portfolio with purchase of Telemundo Atlanta|work=Atlanta Business Chronicle|first=Donnell|last=Suggs|date=February 14, 2022|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215145032/https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2022/02/14/telemundo-atlanta-gray-television-korean-hispanic.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It also acquired [[WKSY-LD]], a low-power station licensed to [[Summerville, Georgia|Summerville]] and [[Trion, Georgia|Trion]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 13, 2022 |title=Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $375,000 |language=en |work=TVNewsCheck |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-375000/ |access-date=September 1, 2022 |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902014125/https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-375000/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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]];<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/dekalb/gray-television-to-purchase-third-rail-studios-in-doraville/WFSYMAZT2ZD5PGBCM32JAQRI5E/|title=Gray Television to purchase Third Rail Studios in Doraville|date=August 17, 2021|first=Zachary|last=Hansen|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210819155537/https://www.ajc.com/neighborhoods/dekalb/gray-television-to-purchase-third-rail-studios-in-doraville/WFSYMAZT2ZD5PGBCM32JAQRI5E/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/nbcuniversal-will-operate-huge-new-assembly-film-studio-in-doraville/RMEBV6Q5C5GXJAURANK7VVMT2M/|date=June 1, 2022|first=Rodney|last=Ho|title=NBCUniversal will operate huge new Assembly film studio in Doraville|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=June 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616203135/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/nbcuniversal-will-operate-huge-new-assembly-film-studio-in-doraville/RMEBV6Q5C5GXJAURANK7VVMT2M/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 31, 2022 |title=Atlanta News First Arriving In Northern Georgia |work=TVNewsCheck |url=https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/atlanta-news-first-arriving-in-northern-georgia/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831182821/https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/atlanta-news-first-arriving-in-northern-georgia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref name="greeley">{{cite news|url=https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/03/gray-launches-atlanta-news-first-brand-changes-call-letters/|first=Paul|last=Greeley|title=Gray Launches 'Atlanta News First' Brand, Changes Call Letters|work=TVNewsCheck|date=October 3, 2022|access-date=October 3, 2022|archive-date=October 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003201422/https://marketshare.tvnewscheck.com/2022/10/03/gray-launches-atlanta-news-first-brand-changes-call-letters/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{cite press release|title=Atlanta Hawks Partner with Gray’s Peachtree TV to Broadcast 10 Games Free, Over the Air|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-partner-with-grays-peachtree-tv-to-broadcast-10-games-free-over-the-air|newspaper=NBA.com|date=December 30, 2023}}</ref>

==News operation==
[[File:CBS 46 Anchors Jan 2019.jpg|thumb|right|WGCL-TV anchors at the [[Super Bowl Experience]] prior to [[Super Bowl LIII]] in Atlanta|alt=Three people wearing headsets and seated around a table, facing a camera, at a convention]]

===Independent era===
Even after Tribune—with its independent news operations in Chicago, New York, and [[KWGN-TV|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?"<ref name="EM881128">{{cite news|work=[[Electronic Media]]|title=How one local station set up news operation|page=J8|first=Russell|last=Shaw|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1988-11-28_7_48/page/n47/mode/2up?q=WGNX|date=November 28, 1988}}</ref> After research showed enthusiasm for a possible newscast, the station prepared a cost-analysis to present to Tribune.{{r|EM881128}}

In July 1988, Tribune approved WGNX to start a 30-minute local newscast to air at 10 p.m. seven days a week.<ref name="Atla880702">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143648/channel-46-receives-go-ahead-for-news/|date=July 2, 1988|page=2C|title=Channel 46 Receives Go-Ahead for News Show|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081256/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143648/channel-46-receives-go-ahead-for-news/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat --> 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.<ref name="Atla890126">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143834/channel-46-newscast-is-here-forever/|date=January 26, 1989|page=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143794/ 6C]|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=Channel 46 Newscast Is Here 'Forever,' Station Exec Says|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081319/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143834/channel-46-newscast-is-here-forever/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Thu --> 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.<ref name="Atla900625">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143969/news-at-10-wins-respect-as-it-expands/|date=June 25, 1990|page=1B, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107144014/wgnx-news-at-10-expands-to-an/ 4B]|first=Gerry|last=Yandel|title='News at 10' wins respect as it expands|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081302/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107143969/news-at-10-wins-respect-as-it-expands/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon -->

===Changes with CBS and ''Clear News''===
When WGNX became a CBS affiliate, the 10 p.m. newscast moved to 11 p.m.,<ref name="Atla941230">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250211/beckman-to-return-to-tv-on-wgnx/|date=December 30, 1994|page=D2|first=Jeffry|last=Scott|title=Beckman to return to TV on WGNX|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081315/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250211/beckman-to-return-to-tv-on-wgnx/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> and a briefly aired 7:30&nbsp;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;<ref name="Atla950529">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250261/wgnx-to-add-7-pm-newscast/|date=May 29, 1995|page=C8|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=While others shuffled, Channel 2 sped ahead|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250261/while-others-shuffled-channel-2-sped/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Mon --> the latter moved to 6 p.m. in 1996.<ref name="Atla960807">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250516/its-the-games-that-never-end/|date=August 7, 1996|page=E4|first=Bob|last=Longino|title=It's the Games that never end|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250516/its-the-games-that-never-end/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

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 (TV series)|M*A*S*H]]''.<ref name="Atla970627">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250391/commuters-readers-can-play-wgnx-game/|date=June 27, 1997|page=F4|first=Drew|last=Jubera|title=Commuters, readers can play WGNX game|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081259/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250391/commuters-readers-can-play-wgnx-game/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Fri --> 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".<ref name="Atla990303">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250702/seeking-a-boost-changes-on-tap-at-wgnx/|date=March 3, 1999|page=C1|first=Phil|last=Kloer|title=Seeking a boost: Changes on tap at WGNX|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809081303/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107250702/seeking-a-boost-changes-on-tap-at-wgnx/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Wed --> The station was producing just 90 minutes of news a day in three half-hour newscasts.{{r|MW000717}}

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.<ref name="MW000717">{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|213663969}}|title=WGCL's fresh news approach pays off|first1=Gilbert|last1=Nicholson|first2=Bryan|last2=Walsh|work=Mediaweek|page=11|date=July 17, 2000}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Atlanta|id={{ProQuest|213662360}}|via=ProQuest|date=October 2, 2000|pages=20–24|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|work=Mediaweek}}</ref> 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]]''.{{r|Atla010316}} However, Clear News was dismantled after the 2002 resignation of Allen Shaklan,<ref name="Atla020215"/><!-- Fri --> and Sue Schwartz rebranded the station as "CBS 46, Atlanta's News Channel", with some limited initial success.<ref name="ABC031003">{{cite news|page=A24|work=Atlanta Business Chronicle|title=Overhaul helping parent of Atlanta's WGCL-TV|id={{ProQuest|235211602}}|date=October 3, 2003|first=Jim|last=Lovel}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|id={{ProQuest|213624992}}|title=Atlanta|first=Eileen|last=Davis Hudson|work=Mediaweek|pages=9–13|date=July 11, 2005}}</ref> It then returned a 5 p.m. newscast in 2010, by which time it had expanded its morning newscast to {{frac|2|1|2}} hours.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-atlanta-goes-live-5-42497|title=WGCL Atlanta Goes Live at 5|first=Michael|last=Malone|date=August 22, 2010|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235407/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-atlanta-goes-live-5-42497|url-status=live}}</ref>

The station usually came in fourth place in Atlanta's news ratings behind WSB, WAGA and WXIA.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ho |first1=Rodney |title=Atlanta TV ratings: WSB-TV dominates most of the day in local news and programming |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/atlanta-ratings-wsb-dominates-most-the-day-local-news-and-programming/x2rAXgedvRaOTvsyNbZjMO/ |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |access-date=October 19, 2018 |archive-date=October 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019121757/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/atlanta-ratings-wsb-dominates-most-the-day-local-news-and-programming/x2rAXgedvRaOTvsyNbZjMO/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/latest-cbs46-departures-anchorreporter-ashley-thompson-and-news-director-matt-king/ZGBHWCMDZVHF5L56EARQSDN4P4/|first=Rodney|last=Ho|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|title=Latest CBS46 departures: anchor/reporter Ashley Thompson and news director Matt King|date=November 22, 2021|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=June 14, 2022|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===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;<ref name="AJC220311">{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/cbs46-plans-40-person-expansion-of-newsroom/E5I6POCW5RCDPFAIAFZ2DWEOZE/|first=Rodney|last=Ho|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=March 11, 2022|title=CBS46 plans 40+ person expansion of newsroom|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=April 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418205844/https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/cbs46-plans-40-person-expansion-of-newsroom/E5I6POCW5RCDPFAIAFZ2DWEOZE/|url-status=live}}</ref> the staffing expansion ultimately materialized as an increase of 50.{{r|BC230301}} 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wgcl-wpch-atlanta-expand-newscasts/|date=May 5, 2022|title=WGCL-WPCH Atlanta Expand Newscasts|first=Mark K.|last=Miller|work=TVNewsCheck|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705074130/https://tvnewscheck.com/journalism/article/wgcl-wpch-atlanta-expand-newscasts/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/atlanta-news-first-arriving-in-northern-georgia/|title=Atlanta News First Arriving In Northern Georgia|publisher=TVNewsCheck|date=August 31, 2022}}</ref> 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.{{r|greeley}} A two-hour prime time news block also airs at 9 p.m. on WPCH-TV.<ref name="BC230301">{{Cite news |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Local News Close-Up: Hotlanta Still Simmering |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/local-news-close-up-hotlanta-still-simmering |access-date=July 30, 2023 |work=Broadcasting + Cable |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref name="BC230301"/>

====Notable current on-air staff====
* [[Rick Folbaum]] – anchor<ref name="folbaum">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-anchors-folbaum-gables-helm-cbs-evening-news-april-18-19|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=April 17, 2020|title=WGCL Anchors Folbaum, Gables Helm 'CBS Evening News' April 18–19|first=Michael|last=Malone|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=June 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617214605/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wgcl-anchors-folbaum-gables-helm-cbs-evening-news-april-18-19|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Shon Gables]] – anchor{{r|folbaum}}
* [[Monica Jones Kaufman Pearson|Monica Kaufman Pearson]] – host<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/veteran-anchor-monica-kaufman-pearson-on-board-at-wgcl-wpch-atlanta|date=December 9, 2021|title=Monica Kaufman Pearson, Veteran Atlanta Anchor, on Board at WGCL-WPCH|first=Michael|last=Malone|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209143540/https://www.nexttv.com/news/veteran-anchor-monica-kaufman-pearson-on-board-at-wgcl-wpch-atlanta|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Notable former on-air staff====
* [[Amanda Davis (journalist)|Amanda Davis]] – anchor (2015–2017); died on December 27, 2017<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/amanda-davis-veteran-morning-news-anchor-dies-at-62/|work=The Wrap|date=December 27, 2017|first=Debbie|last=Emery|title=Amanda Davis, Veteran Atlanta Morning News Anchor, Dies at 62|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=January 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104163448/https://www.thewrap.com/amanda-davis-veteran-morning-news-anchor-dies-at-62/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Tony Harris (journalist)|Tony Harris]] – anchor (2003–2004)<ref name="Atla040928">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107294771/leno-to-give-obrien-tonight-show-in/|date=September 28, 2004|page=E2|first=Richard L.|last=Eldredge|title=Leno to give O'Brien 'Tonight Show' in '09|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235408/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107294771/leno-to-give-obrien-tonight-show-in/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
* [[Dagmar Midcap]] – weather anchor/reporter (2007–2010)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/wgcl-officially-announces-dagmar-midcap-departure/5O1sZ0j5vDNr4iVeuRjCpJ/|first=Rodney|last=Ho|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=September 7, 2010|title=WGCL-TV officially announces Dagmar Midcap's departure|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809235409/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/wgcl-officially-announces-dagmar-midcap-departure/5O1sZ0j5vDNr4iVeuRjCpJ/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Thomas Roberts (television journalist)|Thomas Roberts]] – anchor (2018–2020)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/former-nbc-news-anchor-thomas-roberts-is-returning-to-broadcast-news-as-host-of-dailymailtv/451746/|work=TVNewser|first=A. J.|last=Katz|title=Former NBC News Anchor Thomas Roberts Is Returning to Broadcast News as Host of DailyMailTV|date=August 14, 2020|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=March 7, 2022|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Jane Robelot]] – anchor (1999–2003){{r|Atla990924}}
* [[Brandon Rudat]] – anchor (2010–2013)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/former-cbs46-anchor-brandon-rudat-comes-clean-about-drug-addiction-being-molested-child/FIJBy78MzTQ5VqpPF7YPyM/|date=October 4, 2019|title=Former CBS46 anchor Brandon Lee Rudat comes clean about drug addiction, being molested as a child|first=Rodney|last=Ho|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=October 6, 2019|archive-url=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/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ben Swann]] – anchor and reporter (2015–2018)<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 29, 2018|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/cbs46-ben-swann-fired-after-attempt-bring-back-reality-check/NeAW6LA1crpuxoGqmszkKP/|first=Rodney|last=Ho|newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|title=CBS46's Ben Swann fired after attempt to bring back Reality Check|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=June 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630115105/https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/cbs46-ben-swann-fired-after-attempt-bring-back-reality-check/NeAW6LA1crpuxoGqmszkKP/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Technical information==

===Subchannels===
The station's signal is [[Multiplex (TV)|multiplexed]]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+Subchannels of WANF<ref name="rei">{{cite web |title=RabbitEars query for WANF |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WANF#station |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=RabbitEars |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003164243/https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=WANF#station |url-status=live }}</ref>
! scope = "col" | [[Digital subchannel#United States|Channel]]
! scope = "col" | [[Display resolution|Res.]]
! scope = "col" | [[Aspect ratio (image)|Aspect]]
! scope = "col" | Short name
! scope = "col" | Programming
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.1 
| [[1080i]] || rowspan=4| [[16:9]] || WANF-TV || [[CBS]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.2 
| rowspan=3| [[480i]] || COZI || [[Cozi TV]]
|-
! scope = "row" | 46.3 
| Grit || [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]
|- style="background-color: #E6FFF7;"
! scope = "row" | [[WKTB-CD|47.1]] 
| WKTB ||[[Telemundo]] ([[WKTB-CD]])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; border-top: 2px solid #003399;"
! scope="row" | [[WPCH-TV|17.1]]
| 1080i || rowspan = 2 | 16:9 || WPCH-TV || [[The CW]] ([[WPCH-TV]])
|- style="background-color:#DFEBF6; 
! scope="row" | [[WPCH-TV|17.4]]
| 480i || WPCH-SD || [[WPCH-TV]] in [[Standard-definition television|SD]]
|}
{{legend|#E6FFF7|Simulcast of subchannels of another station}}
{{legend|#DFEBF6|Broadcast on behalf of another station}}

Cozi TV and Grit were added as subchannels in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83908/meredith-to-add-three-katz-diginets|title=Meredith To Add Three Katz Diginets|date=March 20, 2015|publisher=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 24, 2015|archive-date=May 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525012629/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83908/meredith-to-add-three-katz-diginets|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83934/cozi-tv-diginet-adds-eight-stations|title=Cozi TV Diginet Adds Eight Stations|date=March 23, 2015|publisher=TVNewsCheck|access-date=April 24, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091153/http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/83934/cozi-tv-diginet-adds-eight-stations|url-status=live}}</ref>

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.{{r|rei}}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
As WGCL-TV, this station ended regular programming over [[UHF]] channel 46 on June 12, 2009, as part of the [[Digital television transition in the United States|federally mandated transition from analog to digital television]]; it retained its digital signal on UHF channel 19, using [[virtual channel]] 46.<ref name="Analog to Digital">{{Cite web |date=May 23, 2006 |title=DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the first and second rounds |url=http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130829004251/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf |archive-date=August 29, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |website=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="FCC Nightlight">{{cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-291375A1.pdf|title=UPDATED List of Participants in the Analog Nightlight Program|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|date=June 12, 2009|access-date=May 2, 2024}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/}}

{{AtlantaTV}}
{{CBS Georgia}}
{{TV Stations Alabama}}
{{Gray TV}}

[[Category:CBS affiliates]]
[[Category:Cozi TV affiliates]]
[[Category:Former Meredith Corporation subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Gray Television]]
[[Category:Grit (TV network) affiliates]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1971]]
[[Category:Television stations in Atlanta|ANF]]