WCAU (NBC) · Channel 10
Full power TV station · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WCAU is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 10, licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its signal is estimated to reach about 798 cities and towns within 70 miles.
About WCAU
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 745 kW effective radiated power, WCAU runs more power than 71% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 400 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 56% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 59 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 70 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 798 cities and towns in our guide with about 9,250,000 residents, as far as Hillside, NJ (70 miles).
WCAU shares its transmitter site with WDPN-TV (MeTV), WDUM-LD, WWSI (Telemundo), WTVE, WPHA-CD and W25FG-D and 14 more. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other NBC station in our data is WGAL in Lancaster, PA, 73 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 | Philadelphia, PA |
| Tower location | 40.04169, -75.23614 |
| Effective radiated power | 745 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 400 m (1,312 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 63153 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCAU
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 7.3 mi | 328° NNW | Strong |
| Center City, PA | 7.5 mi | 327° NNW | Strong |
| Wharton, PA | 9.0 mi | 332° NNW | Strong |
| Whitman, PA | 9.6 mi | 334° NNW | Strong |
| Camden, NJ | 10 mi | 322° NW | Strong |
| Pennsauken, NJ | 11 mi | 302° WNW | Strong |
| Cherry Hill, NJ | 13 mi | 304° NW | Strong |
| Mount Laurel, NJ | 20 mi | 292° WNW | Strong |
| Levittown, PA | 23 mi | 250° WSW | Good |
| Wilmington, DE | 26 mi | 39° NE | Good |
| Sicklerville, NJ | 27 mi | 328° NNW | Good |
| Jackson, NJ | 27 mi | 313° NW | Good |
| Ewing, NJ | 28 mi | 236° SW | Good |
| Trenton, NJ | 29 mi | 245° WSW | Good |
| Vineland, NJ | 40 mi | 344° NNW | Good |
| Bethlehem, PA | 41 mi | 170° S | Good |
| Allentown, PA | 41 mi | 161° SSE | Good |
| Reading, PA | 42 mi | 119° ESE | Good |
| South Vineland, NJ | 43 mi | 345° NNW | Good |
| Bridgewater, NJ | 50 mi | 219° SW | Good |
| East Brunswick, NJ | 51 mi | 239° WSW | Good |
| New Brunswick, NJ | 52 mi | 234° SW | Good |
| Lakewood, NJ | 54 mi | 266° W | Good |
| Piscataway, NJ | 54 mi | 235° SW | Good |
| Sayreville, NJ | 54 mi | 238° WSW | Good |
| Edison, NJ | 55 mi | 233° SW | Good |
| Toms River, NJ | 55 mi | 277° W | Good |
| Marlboro, NJ | 56 mi | 250° WSW | Good |
| Sayreville Junction, NJ | 56 mi | 239° WSW | Good |
| Lancaster, PA | 57 mi | 89° E | Good |
| Plainfield, NJ | 60 mi | 227° SW | Good |
| Perth Amboy, NJ | 60 mi | 238° WSW | Good |
| Dover, DE | 63 mi | 14° NNE | Fair |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 64 mi | 318° NW | Fair |
| Linden, NJ | 66 mi | 233° SW | Fair |
| Staten Island, NY | 68 mi | 238° WSW | Fair |
| South Bel Air, MD | 68 mi | 59° ENE | Fair |
| Union, NJ | 68 mi | 229° SW | Fair |
| Bel Air South, MD | 68 mi | 57° ENE | Fair |
| Elizabeth, NJ | 69 mi | 232° SW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- WDPN-TVMeTV · 2.1
- WWSITelemundo · 62
- WTXF-TVFox · 29
- WUVP-DTUnivision · 65
- WPHL-TVCW · 17
- WPVI-TVABC · 6
- WPPX-TVION · 61
- KYW-TVCBS · 3
- WFMZ-TVMeTV · 69.3
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCAU transmitter tower?
WCAU broadcasts from a tower at 40.0417, -75.2361, near Bala-Cynwyd, PA. It is licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What channel is WCAU on?
WCAU appears as virtual channel 10 (10.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does WCAU broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 70 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 78 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCAU with an antenna?
About 9,250,000 people live in the 798 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCAU?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCAU tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.