You know the feeling. You settle onto the couch with a plate of wings, ready for the game or that new procedural everyone is talking about, only to find a re-run of Judge Mathis staring back at you. Honestly, keeping up with the Augusta GA TV schedule in 2026 feels like a full-time job. Between the "big four" networks reshuffling their midseason lineups and the weird subchannels that seem to vanish if the wind blows too hard toward the Savannah River, it’s a lot to track.
Most people think they can just "flip through" and find what they need. They're usually wrong.
Augusta’s broadcast landscape is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. We’ve got local heavyweights like WJBF (ABC), WRDW (CBS), and WAGT (NBC) basically running the show, but how they deliver that content has changed. If you’re still relying on a dusty cable box from 2018, you’re likely missing half the picture.
The Core Augusta GA TV Schedule: What’s Actually On Tonight?
If you're looking for the heavy hitters, you’re looking at Channels 6, 12, 26, and 54. But the timing is everything. For January 2026, the networks have pivoted hard into their midseason "reboots."
WJBF (ABC 6) is currently leaning heavily into its comedy block. You've got Abbott Elementary anchoring Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM, usually followed by Shifting Gears or a documentary special. If you're looking for local news, their 11:00 PM slot remains the standard, though streaming delays sometimes make the "live" part feel a little loose.
WRDW (CBS 12) is where the drama lives this year. Their big Sunday push features Tracker and the newly minted Y: Marshals. Most people don't realize that CBS has been aggressively moving their start times. If there’s an NFL game earlier in the afternoon—which, let's be real, there usually is—that 7:00 PM 60 Minutes start time is more of a suggestion than a rule.
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WAGT-CD (NBC 26) and WFXG (Fox 54) round out the big names. NBC is currently hyping The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, while Fox is all-in on The Masked Singer and their 10:00 PM local news, which honestly, is great for people who can't stay awake until 11:30.
The Subchannel Secret
Here’s what most people get wrong about the Augusta GA TV schedule: the main channel is only a fraction of what’s available for free. If you have a decent digital antenna, you should be pulling in:
- 6.2 (MeTV): For when you just want to see Friends or TMZ for the thousandth time.
- 12.2 (MyNetworkTV/NBC): This is a weird one. In Augusta, Gray Television owns both WRDW and WAGT. You’ll often see NBC programming mirrored here or sports like the NBA G-League taking over the evening slots.
- 26.2 (The CW/Peachtree Sports): If you’re looking for WWE NXT or local Georgia sports, this is your home.
Why Your Antenna Might Be Lying to You
You've probably noticed that sometimes Channel 6 comes in crystal clear, but Channel 54 looks like a Minecraft character. That's because Augusta's towers aren't all in the same spot.
Most of the big transmitters are clustered south of the city or near Beech Island. If you’re up in Evans or Grovetown, the signal has to fight through some serious topography and Georgia pines. Basically, if you aren't rescanning your TV at least once a month, your Augusta GA TV schedule is going to be missing channels you didn't even know you had.
Also, we have to talk about the "low power" stations. WAGT-CD is technically a Class-A station. In plain English? Its signal doesn't travel as far as the big WJBF tower. You might need a powered amplifier if you're trying to catch NBC out in the rural parts of Columbia County.
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Breaking Down the 2026 Midseason Must-Watches
Let's get specific. If you're planning your week, here is the current flow for the major networks in the Augusta market as of late January:
Mondays: The Battle for Your Brain
ABC is running American Idol at 8:00 PM (it's the 2026 season, and somehow it's still going). Meanwhile, NBC has St. Denis Medical and The Wall. If you’re a local news junkie, WRDW’s News 12 at 6:00 PM remains the most-watched block in the CSRA.
Wednesdays: The Comedy/Drama Split
This is the busiest night for the Augusta GA TV schedule. You have The Masked Singer on Fox 54 at 8:00 PM, which usually dominates the ratings. If you prefer scripted stuff, ABC’s Abbott Elementary is the play.
The Sunday Sports Lag
This is a local tragedy every weekend. Between the Masters (when that season rolls around) and the NFL playoffs in January, the evening schedule is basically a mess. Expect 60 Minutes on Channel 12 to be pushed back by at least 45 minutes if there’s a late-afternoon kickoff.
How to Watch if You’ve Cut the Cord
Look, cable is expensive. You don't need a $150 monthly bill just to see what's happening on Broad Street.
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You've got a few solid options for the Augusta GA TV schedule that don't involve a contract. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV both carry our local Augusta affiliates (WJBF, WRDW, WFXG). But if you want it for $0, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna is the only way to go.
One pro tip: Download the "News 12" or "WJBF News" apps. They stream their local newscasts for free. You won't get Grey's Anatomy or NCIS there, but you'll get the weather and local sports updates without paying a dime.
Actionable Steps for a Better Viewing Experience
If you want to stop guessing what's on, do these three things right now:
- Perform a "Channel Rescan": Seriously. Go into your TV settings and do it. New subchannels like The365 or Outlaw (26.3) have popped up recently, and you’re probably missing them.
- Check the 10:00 PM Window: If you find yourself waiting for the 11:00 PM news and falling asleep, switch to Fox 54. It’s the same quality reporting but an hour earlier, giving you back your sleep.
- Get a High-VHF Antenna: Augusta’s stations are a mix of UHF and VHF frequencies. If your antenna only looks like a flat plastic square, you might struggle with WRDW (Channel 12). Look for an antenna that specifically mentions "High-VHF" support.
The Augusta GA TV schedule isn't as simple as it used to be, but once you know where the towers are and which subchannels carry the hidden gems, you’re basically a local pro.