<P> Television finally came to Atlanta - area and northern - and upper central - Georgia viewers on September 29 , 1948 ( called `` T - Day '' by the Journal ) with the debut of WSB - TV , broadcasting on VHF channel 8 . The newspaper led up to the TV station 's launch , with front - page countdowns designed to boost excitement and sell TV sets . The inaugural WSB - TV program , which began with a recording of `` The Star Spangled Banner '' and a close - up shot of a tiny American flag waving in the wind powered by an electric fan , featured announcer John Cone ( `` WSB - TV is on the air ! '' ) , newscaster Jimmy Bridges , and a host of local dignitaries . </P>
<P> Television finally came to Atlanta - area and northern - and upper central - Georgia viewers on September 29 , 1948 ( called `` T - Day '' by the Journal ) with the debut of WSB - TV , broadcasting on VHF channel 8 . The newspaper led up to the TV station 's launch , with front - page countdowns designed to boost excitement and sell TV sets . The inaugural WSB - TV program , which began with a recording of `` The Star Spangled Banner '' and a close - up shot of a tiny American flag waving in the wind powered by an electric fan , featured announcer John Cone ( `` WSB - TV is on the air ! '' ) , newscaster Jimmy Bridges , and a host of local dignitaries . </P>
when did the south 's first television station wsb-tv atlanta ga begin operation
when did the south 's first television station wsb-tv atlanta ga begin operation
September 29 , 1948
September 29 , 1948