How a local Atlanta station became the flagship for a national television network

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How a local Atlanta station became the flagship for a national television network
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In short: WAGA-TV began as a CBS affiliate in 1949, but a massive 1994 industry shakeup transformed it into a cornerstone of the Fox network. By leveraging its strong local news presence and VHF signal, the station secured its position as a powerhouse in the Atlanta media market for decades.

Launched on March 8, 1949, WAGA-TV was Atlanta's second television station. For 45 years, it served as a CBS affiliate, holding the record for the longest-running partnership with that network in the region south of Washington, D.C. Its facilities, located in Druid Hills since 1966, were designed to resemble a Southern mansion, a style chosen to fit the local aesthetic while serving as a hub for Storer Broadcasting.

The station's trajectory changed in 1994 when New World Communications, which had acquired WAGA, signed a deal to align its stations with Fox. Fox was eager to move its programming from UHF outlets to a VHF station with a established news operation. This shift was part of a broader national realignment triggered by Fox's acquisition of NFL broadcasting rights. WAGA became the flagship station for New World Communications, which was headquartered in Atlanta at the time.

The transition was complex. Because CBS lost its long-term affiliate, it scrambled to find a new home in the Atlanta market, eventually settling on WGNX. WAGA officially joined Fox on December 11, 1994. Following the merger of New World into Fox Television Stations in 1997, WAGA became an owned-and-operated station. Today, it remains a dominant force, producing 78 hours of local news weekly and maintaining its status as a primary broadcaster for major sports events, including Atlanta Falcons and Braves games.

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