CBS affiliate WUPA in Atlanta, Georgia, will unveil two new newscasts from a state-of-the-art extended reality (XR) set on September 15, 2025. The station, formerly an independent CBS-owned outlet, assumed the CBS affiliation on August 16, 2025, succeeding Gray Media’s WANF.
The launch of CBS Atlanta includes a new local news and weather operation. WUPA recently completed construction of a green screen studio enabling the production of news and weather from a virtual and augmented reality set. This setup mirrors similar installations at numerous other CBS stations nationwide, frequently used for weather reports and, in some cases, as the primary set for news and sports broadcasts.
Jobina Fortson-Evans will serve as the sole anchor for the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts. “Our newsroom is built on the belief that local journalism thrives when led by people who know and care about the community,” stated Shawn Hoder, vice president and news director of CBS Atlanta. “Jobina’s talent, integrity and deep Atlanta roots make her the perfect choice to lead our coverage as we continue to expand our news operation.” Fortson-Evans previously hosted “ATL Live” on WANF.
Since August 18, 2025, WUPA has integrated local weather segments into “CBS Mornings.” To accommodate the new virtual set, CBS expanded a studio at the WUPA facility, incorporating advanced camera tracking technology and software. CBS Atlanta highlights its virtual set as a first for local Atlanta stations.
CBS News and Stations has significantly invested in XR technology in recent years, equipping its owned stations with green screen studios and corresponding technology. A common virtual set design features a round space with simulated skylines, complemented by wood-toned vertical slats and oversized CBS eye logos. While many stations retain traditional sets, KTVT in Dallas–Ft. Worth, Texas, primarily utilizes its virtual setup since 2025. Augmented reality elements are integrated, allowing on-air talent to interact with virtual components.
CBS has also implemented diverse virtual set designs across its stations, including a simulated arena for NCAA basketball coverage.