WBTV (CBS) · Channel 3
Full power TV station · Charlotte, North Carolina
WBTV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 3, licensed to Charlotte, North Carolina. Its signal is estimated to reach about 247 cities and towns within 80 miles.
About WBTV
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, WBTV runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 565 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 81% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 69 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 80 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 247 cities and towns in our guide with about 3,150,000 residents, as far as Asheville, NC (79 miles).
The nearest other CBS station in our data is WSPA-TV in Spartanburg, SC, 64 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
CBS is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local CBS affiliates carry the network's news, daytime and primetime schedule plus local news, and CBS is the over-the-air home of many NFL Sunday afternoon games.
Station facts
| Network | CBS |
| Virtual channel | 3 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Charlotte, NC |
| Tower location | 35.36417, -81.18667 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 565 m (1,854 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 30826 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WBTV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia, NC | 7.1 mi | 0° N | Strong |
| Mount Holly, NC | 11 mi | 295° WNW | Strong |
| Huntersville, NC | 20 mi | 261° W | Strong |
| Cornelius, NC | 20 mi | 245° WSW | Strong |
| Shelby, NC | 20 mi | 76° ENE | Strong |
| Charlotte, NC | 22 mi | 296° WNW | Strong |
| Mooresville, NC | 26 mi | 234° SW | Strong |
| Hickory, NC | 27 mi | 161° SSE | Good |
| Fort Mill, SC | 28 mi | 331° NNW | Good |
| Harrisburg, NC | 30 mi | 275° W | Good |
| Matthews, NC | 31 mi | 303° WNW | Good |
| Rock Hill, SC | 32 mi | 343° NNW | Good |
| Kannapolis, NC | 33 mi | 255° WSW | Good |
| Mint Hill, NC | 33 mi | 293° WNW | Good |
| Statesville, NC | 33 mi | 210° SSW | Good |
| Stallings, NC | 34 mi | 304° NW | Good |
| Concord, NC | 34 mi | 265° W | Good |
| Indian Trail, NC | 35 mi | 304° NW | Good |
| Morganton, NC | 38 mi | 133° SE | Good |
| Lenoir, NC | 43 mi | 152° SSE | Good |
| Monroe, NC | 44 mi | 306° NW | Good |
| Salisbury, NC | 45 mi | 242° WSW | Good |
| Spartanburg, SC | 51 mi | 56° NE | Good |
| Albemarle, NC | 56 mi | 271° W | Good |
| Lexington, NC | 61 mi | 239° WSW | Good |
| Clemmons, NC | 64 mi | 225° SW | Good |
| Boone, NC | 65 mi | 155° SSE | Good |
| Greer, SC | 66 mi | 63° ENE | Good |
| Taylors, SC | 70 mi | 64° ENE | Good |
| Five Forks, SC | 70 mi | 56° ENE | Good |
| Thomasville, NC | 72 mi | 240° WSW | Fair |
| Hendersonville, NC | 72 mi | 87° E | Fair |
| Wade Hampton, SC | 72 mi | 64° ENE | Fair |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 73 mi | 226° SW | Fair |
| Simpsonville, SC | 74 mi | 54° NE | Fair |
| Mauldin, SC | 75 mi | 57° ENE | Fair |
| Greenville, SC | 77 mi | 62° ENE | Fair |
| High Point, NC | 78 mi | 239° WSW | Fair |
| Asheville, NC | 79 mi | 102° ESE | Fair |
| Berea, SC | 79 mi | 65° ENE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WBTV transmitter tower?
WBTV broadcasts from a tower at 35.3642, -81.1867, near Dallas, NC. It is licensed to Charlotte, North Carolina.
What channel is WBTV on?
WBTV appears as virtual channel 3 (3.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does WBTV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 80 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 88 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WBTV with an antenna?
About 3,150,000 people live in the 247 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WBTV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WBTV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.