CBS Atlanta Announces Management Committee
CBS Atlanta is undergoing a significant transformation, and two new leaders have been appointed to help steer the station through this exciting period. Shawn Hoder and Barbara Roeder have joined the team, each bringing a wealth of experience to their respective roles.
Shawn Hoder, the new Vice President and News Director for CBS Atlanta, has a diverse background in newsroom leadership, having worked in multiple cities such as Atlanta, Orlando, Seattle, Washington D.C., Columbus, Tampa, and Pittsburgh. Most recently, Hoder served as Vice President and News Director for CBS Pittsburgh (KDKA-TV & KDKA+), where his work earned multiple Peabody Awards, Edward R. Murrow Awards, and over 50 regional Emmy Awards. Hoder has relocated to Atlanta for this role and began on August 18, 2025.
Barbara Roeder, the new Vice President of Sales, returns to CBS Atlanta after a stint at FanDuel Sports Network, where she managed multi-platform sponsorship sales for the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks. Roeder brings nearly 30 years of experience in the Atlanta media market and previously spent 15 years at WUPA. She also started her CBS Atlanta role on August 18, 2025.
These appointments coincide with CBS Atlanta's network programming move to WUPA Channel 69 in mid-August 2025 and the launch of the station's own news operations set for September 2025. The station, formerly known as WUPA, is rebranding as CBS Atlanta.
Jennifer Mitchell, the President of CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital, will oversee the changes in Atlanta. Tom Canedo, who has experience leading broadcast stations in the Atlanta market for over 25 years, will continue to lead CBS Atlanta as President and General Manager. Canedo also oversees CBS' independent stations in Tampa and Seattle.
The Gray Media-owned WANF, which was the CBS affiliate for 31 years, has transitioned to a local news-focused independent station, named Atlanta News First. The changes at CBS Atlanta mark an exciting new chapter for the station, and with Hoder and Roeder on board, the future looks promising.
- Shawn Hoder, the new Vice President and News Director for CBS Atlanta, has a background in diverse cities and received awards such as Peabody, Murrow, and Emmy for his work at CBS Pittsburgh.
- Barbara Roeder, the new Vice President of Sales at CBS Atlanta, returns after a stint at FanDuel Sports Network and brings 30 years of experience in the Atlanta media market.
- The station's new digital operations will be overseen by Jennifer Mitchell, the President of CBS Stations and CBS News and Stations Digital.
- With the launch of its own news operations in September 2025, CBS Atlanta (formerly WUPA) rebrands as a digital-focused Over-The-Top (OTT) entertainment provider, offering video content on digital media platforms.
