On Saturday, Gray Media’s WANF-46 will conclude its run as a CBS affiliate, with Paramount Skydance-owned WUPA-69 becoming “CBS Atlanta” in the South’s largest market.
Unlike the debut of WWJ-62 in Detroit at the end of 1994, a local news team will provide Atlanta with another choice for information. “We aren’t just hiring a team – we are building one from the community,” said Jennifer Mitchell, President of CBS Stations. “They’re here to listen, serve and tell stories that matter.”
Local news under the CBS Atlanta brand debuts Monday (8/18), unofficially, with local weather coverage during CBS Mornings ahead of a full-blown news launch in September.
Directing the launch of the newsroom for CBS Atlanta is Nichole Green, as Assistant News Director. She’s relocating from WCBS-2 and WLNY-55 in New York, where she serves as an Executive Producer.
Taking the post of Creative Services Director for CBS Atlanta is Lea-Anne Jackson, who has worked at WUPA for the past five years.
Managing Editor duties will be held by Alex Sanz, a longtime local print journalist who has worked at COX’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Associated Press.
That meteorologist in the mix viewers will see starting Monday? It is Troy Bridges, shuffling down I-75 from CBS Detroit.
The appointments follow last week’s announcement that Tom Canedo will serve as President/GM of CBS Atlanta. He commented, “Our team reflects the energy and authenticity of this city. We’re committed to solutions journalism that informs, inspires and holds the powerful accountable – a station built for and with Atlanta.”
As previously reported, VP of News duties will be held by Shawn Hoder, as Barbara Roeder is named VP of Sales.
WUPA will be third home for CBS in Atlanta. It took Channel 46 (then WGNX, and after that WGCL) in December 1994 after previously enjoying a 45-year relationship with WAGA-5 in Atlanta, under Storer Broadcasting ownership through 1985. It eventually became a FOX Television Stations O&O through New World Communications.
