WGCL-TV Branding

[kilamanjero]

"CBS Atlanta" has problems.  I was somewhere recently when CBS Atlanta and CBS Atlanta both showed up to cover the same story.  One being the network and one being the affil.  Yes, it was big enough of a story for the network to send their own crew.  Everybody else was there too.  But the point was, who IS CBS Atlanta anyway?   It doesn't sound local. 

Do any of the other locals go by networkname Atlanta?   

WGNX...  Not sure what was ever wrong with WANX to be sure other than WGN felt compelled to rename it.   WGCL is not a great call -even when it stood for something, it was just random. 

FOX O&O affiliate, WAGA goes by the "FOX5 Atlanta" branding.  It has been doing so since 1994 when the network switch occurred.  On the "WGNX" call letters were associated with the successful stint of the channel being an independent station in the market.  Many of the native Atlantans in the region remember that branding, but are clearly confused or apathetic to the "CBS Atlanta" branding.   

[Raymie]

FOX O&O affiliate, WAGA goes by the "FOX5 Atlanta" branding.  It has been doing so since 1994 when the network switch occurred.  On the "WGNX" call letters were associated with the successful stint of the channel being an independent station in the market.  Many of the native Atlantans in the region remember that branding, but are clearly confused or apathetic to the "CBS Atlanta" branding.   

No, they were still using "Channel 5" at least until '96. That was the year that Fox, not seeing the gains it wanted at its New World stations, wanted some of the conservative style gone. It wasn't for another couple years that we saw all the stations do that. WAGA was still "Fox 5 Eyewitness News" through 1997. Similar situations in Detroit and Tampa. In Phoenix, channel 10 didn't change logos until 1996. Immediately upon Fox affiliation WBRC looked pretty much unchanged.

[kilamanjero]

FOX O&O affiliate, WAGA goes by the "FOX5 Atlanta" branding.  It has been doing so since 1994 when the network switch occurred.  On the "WGNX" call letters were associated with the successful stint of the channel being an independent station in the market.  Many of the native Atlantans in the region remember that branding, but are clearly confused or apathetic to the "CBS Atlanta" branding.   

No, they were still using "Channel 5" at least until '96. That was the year that Fox, not seeing the gains it wanted at its New World stations, wanted some of the conservative style gone. It wasn't for another couple years that we saw all the stations do that. WAGA was still "Fox 5 Eyewitness News" through 1997. Similar situations in Detroit and Tampa. In Phoenix, channel 10 didn't change logos until 1996. Immediately upon Fox affiliation WBRC looked pretty much unchanged.

Actually, I lived Birmingham during that time.  WBRC immediately added the golden "FOX with searchlights" to their station's main logo in September 1996.  As a matter of fact, WBRC became known as "FOX6" from the inception of its affiliation switch.  I also remember WAGA added the "FOX with searchlights" to its logo in 1994, but mainly during network promos.  I do agree they didn't full integrate the "FOX5 Atlanta" branding into their on-air name until 1997, but it was there from the start in December 1994. 

[FloydB]

They need to go back to the WGNX calls and call it that.  I would at least be a more recognizable branding...

It may be, but it was associated with the Tribune Ownership. Since their flagship station is WGN Chicago, all their stations were WGN-. WGCL is still associated with that "Clear News" debacle, so I do agree a call change is warranted. They, at one time, also used CBS 46.

I think they've got good imaging and branding now. The "tough questions" moniker could go. They're making headway, but they just need to stay the course. There's been too much change with CBS Atlanta to give them a foothold in the market. They've cycled through too many reporters and anchors that viewers can't relate to them. The big draw with Monica is that she's been at that anchor desk for 37 years. WSB's smart to have groomed Jovita as her heir apparent. Viewers have come to know Jovita and will stick with WSB.

A couple other smart moves WGCL has done is hire JaQuitta Williams and Paul Ossmann, two personalities that were already known in the market. I've seen that with the other stations, but this is the first I've seen with WGCL in 13 years. They did use Wes Sarginson for a couple of feature stories shortly after his retirement from WXIA. I would've liked to have seen a little more of that. 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Looks like CBS Atlanta is about to do a graphics update.  I noticed the weather maps and graphics have changed.

[onenil]

Looks like CBS Atlanta is about to do a graphics update.  I noticed the weather maps and graphics have changed.

It's just a weather graphics update, not all the graphics.