WAVY-TV (NBC) · Channel 10
Full power TV station · Portsmouth, Virginia
WAVY-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 10, licensed to Portsmouth, Virginia. Its signal is estimated to reach about 58 cities and towns within 63 miles.
About WAVY-TV
Full-power stations are the main licensed broadcasters in a market. They may run the highest power from the tallest towers and are protected from interference, so they set the core of what you can receive.
At 1,000 kW effective radiated power, WAVY-TV runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 280 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 22% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 51 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 63 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 58 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,980,000 residents, as far as Petersburg, VA (57 miles).
WAVY-TV shares its transmitter site with WNLO-CD (CW), WVBT (CW), WITD-CD and WKTD-CD. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other NBC station in our data is WWBT in Richmond, VA, 72 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
NBC is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local NBC affiliates carry the national morning show, evening news and primetime lineup, plus Sunday Night Football and, in Olympic years, the Games.
Station facts
| Network | NBC |
| Virtual channel | 10 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Portsmouth, VA |
| Tower location | 36.82083, -76.51111 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 280 m (920 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 71127 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WAVY-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk, VA | 7.6 mi | 33° NNE | Strong |
| Portsmouth Heights, VA | 7.9 mi | 270° W | Strong |
| South Suffolk, VA | 8.4 mi | 31° NNE | Strong |
| Carrollton, VA | 9.1 mi | 163° SSE | Strong |
| Portsmouth, VA | 12 mi | 265° W | Strong |
| Norfolk, VA | 13 mi | 262° W | Strong |
| Windsor, VA | 13 mi | 86° E | Strong |
| Smithfield, VA | 13 mi | 149° SSE | Strong |
| Chesapeake, VA | 13 mi | 271° W | Strong |
| Hampton, VA | 17 mi | 212° SSW | Strong |
| East Hampton, VA | 18 mi | 214° SSW | Strong |
| Newport News, VA | 18 mi | 187° S | Strong |
| Poquoson, VA | 23 mi | 204° SSW | Strong |
| Franklin, VA | 25 mi | 66° ENE | Strong |
| Moyock, NC | 28 mi | 318° NW | Good |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 30 mi | 266° W | Good |
| Gloucester Point, VA | 30 mi | 182° S | Good |
| Courtland, VA | 32 mi | 77° ENE | Good |
| Williamsburg, VA | 33 mi | 161° SSE | Good |
| Waverly, VA | 36 mi | 115° ESE | Good |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 39 mi | 338° NNW | Good |
| Gloucester Courthouse, VA | 41 mi | 179° S | Good |
| Murfreesboro, NC | 42 mi | 51° NE | Good |
| Hertford, NC | 44 mi | 357° N | Good |
| Ahoskie, NC | 45 mi | 35° NE | Good |
| Prince George, VA | 51 mi | 123° ESE | Good |
| West Point, VA | 52 mi | 162° SSE | Good |
| Deltaville, VA | 52 mi | 191° S | Good |
| Edenton, NC | 53 mi | 6° N | Good |
| Fort Lee, VA | 54 mi | 123° ESE | Good |
| Hopewell, VA | 54 mi | 128° SE | Good |
| Petersburg, VA | 57 mi | 120° ESE | Fair |
| Enon, VA | 57 mi | 128° SE | Fair |
| Emporia, VA | 58 mi | 80° E | Fair |
| Colonial Heights, VA | 58 mi | 122° ESE | Fair |
| Ettrick, VA | 58 mi | 119° ESE | Fair |
| Matoaca, VA | 60 mi | 118° ESE | Fair |
| Windsor, NC | 62 mi | 23° NNE | Fair |
| Kilmarnock, VA | 62 mi | 187° S | Fair |
| Exmore, VA | 62 mi | 218° SW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WAVY-TV transmitter tower?
WAVY-TV broadcasts from a tower at 36.8208, -76.5111, near Suffolk, VA. It is licensed to Portsmouth, Virginia.
What channel is WAVY-TV on?
WAVY-TV appears as virtual channel 10 (10.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does WAVY-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 63 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 72 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WAVY-TV with an antenna?
About 1,980,000 people live in the 58 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WAVY-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WAVY-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.