Atlanta’s “Hot” New TV Station Hard To Find On OTA
Nearly a year ago, WHOT Ch. 66.1 went on the air, bringing local Atlanta-focused content from New York City’s iconic hip-hop station Hot 97 (WQHT). Trouble is, it’s not that easy to find if you don’t have cable and live in the Atlanta area proper. Hot97TV is on Xfinity Ch 66, and also on Spectrum Cable Ch. 19 and DirecTV. It’s not on YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, or other streaming services. And as for over-the-air TV, the station, which came to be after CNZ Communications bought Opelika, Alabama-based WGBP Ch. 66, has a signal that seems to go only as far as Newnan, south of the Downtown Atlanta area. There is also a secondary tower located south of Columbus, GA, from which that signal also gets no further than central Coweta County. So unless you have cable or DirecTV, or live in the far southern part of Metro Atlanta, you won’t be seeing WHOT. So what are Atlanta viewers missing on Hot 97 TV? Hip-hop news, music, original shows, films, and other content spotlighting African-American and hip-hop culture. More on this station can be found on hot97atlanta.com.
Audacy Tunes Into Mental Health With “I’m Listening”
Times are hard these days, and there are crises seemingly everywhere. And in tough times, finding understanding and encouragement could not only save someone’s sanity but their life as well. That’s why, during National Suicide Prevention Month, Audacy, which owns local Atlanta radio stations WVEE (V-103), WSTR (Star 94), WZGC (92.9 The Game) and WAOK, will be participating in its national annual special “I’m Listening,” which focuses on finding positive solutions for mental health. The special, hosted by Today Show and The Voice host Carson Daly and Katie & Company‘s Kaite Neal, airs Tuesday, September 8th. Participants in the program will share “personal stories, resources, and a safe space for the audience to connect and know they are not alone.” Artists scheduled to be heard on the broadcast include Kelly Clarkson, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Shinedown, Tate McRae, and Smashing Pumpkins. The broadcast can also be heard on the free Audacy app.
DragonCon Marches on Atlanta TV
In its 40th year, Dragon Con has brought generations of sci-fi, fantasy, and comic book fans to Downtown Atlanta. But fans can also experience Dragon Con in their living room or on their computer this year. WUPA Ch 69 (CBS Atlanta) will be airing the annual parade starting at 10 AM Saturday, September 5th. The parade’s telecast on the station will be hosted by Brian Richardson, and CBS News Atlanta anchor Alexa Liacko. Fans will also be able to stream the parade on DragonCon.tv, the event’s multimedia portal, but will need a subscription to view. The event as a whole is expected to bring at least 75,000 attendees downtown, with numerous celebrity guests (including Battlestar Galactica‘s Edward James Olmos and Firefly‘s Nathan Fillion), content creators, and, of course, co-splayers also in attendance.
Comings and Goings at 11 Alive
Changes are taking place at the newsroom of Tegna/Nexstar (the merger’s still on hold) owned NBC affiliate WXIA/WATL, 11 Alive. After five years as a general assignment reporter, Molly Oak has left the station. Oak joined 11 Alive in April 2022 and racked up three Emmys for her reporting. Among the stories she has covered for 11 Alive News are the Colin Gray trial, a young girl’s quest for a life-saving kidney, and this year’s FIFA World Cup. As Oak moves on, another reporter may be heading for the station. TV blog FTV Live reported Wendesday that WOIO Cleveland reporter Noelle Williams is joining the station as a general assignment reporter. The Mort Meiner Associates-repped reporter is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She was also a weekend anchor at WOIO. Williams, WOIO, and WXIA have not confirmed Williams’ hiring.
Congrats In Order!
Congratulations to Atlanta Journal-Constitution sports reporter Sarah K. Spencer. She announced that she and her husband are expecting a second child, a boy. “Baby boy coming this February — two under two here we come 🩵” Spencer announced on Instagram. “We are beyond excited to welcome another little guy to the family!!” Spencer now reports on the Georgia Bulldogs (she is a UGA grad) for Dawg Nation, the AJC’s Bulldogs-centric website.
