WCHS-TV (ABC) · Channel 8
Full power TV station · Charleston, West Virginia
WCHS-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with ABC on virtual channel 8, licensed to Charleston, West Virginia. Its signal is estimated to reach about 133 cities and towns within 75 miles.
About WCHS-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 533 kW effective radiated power, WCHS-TV runs more power than 63% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 514 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 74% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 66 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 75 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 133 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,160,000 residents, as far as Athens, OH (65 miles).
WCHS-TV shares its transmitter site with WVAH-TV. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other ABC station in our data is WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, WV, 51 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
ABC is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local ABC affiliates carry the national morning, evening news and primetime schedule alongside their own local newscasts, and the network carries major sports such as NBA games.
Station facts
| Network | ABC |
| Virtual channel | 8 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Charleston, WV |
| Tower location | 38.40778, -81.90333 |
| Effective radiated power | 533 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 514 m (1,687 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 71280 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCHS-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teays Valley, WV | 3.2 mi | 154° SSE | Strong |
| Nitro, WV | 3.2 mi | 261° W | Strong |
| Saint Albans, WV | 3.9 mi | 293° WNW | Strong |
| Tornado, WV | 5.5 mi | 325° NW | Strong |
| Cross Lanes, WV | 6.2 mi | 262° W | Strong |
| Hurricane, WV | 6.6 mi | 105° ESE | Strong |
| Dunbar, WV | 9.6 mi | 290° WNW | Strong |
| South Charleston, WV | 11 mi | 284° WNW | Strong |
| Charleston, WV | 15 mi | 285° WNW | Strong |
| Sissonville, WV | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong |
| Barboursville, WV | 21 mi | 90° E | Good |
| Pea Ridge, WV | 23 mi | 91° E | Good |
| Huntington, WV | 29 mi | 91° E | Good |
| Gallipolis, OH | 32 mi | 150° SSE | Good |
| Point Pleasant, WV | 33 mi | 157° SSE | Good |
| South Point, OH | 37 mi | 91° E | Good |
| Ravenswood, WV | 38 mi | 192° SSW | Good |
| Ashland, KY | 40 mi | 97° E | Good |
| Westwood, KY | 42 mi | 97° E | Good |
| Ironville, KY | 43 mi | 94° E | Good |
| Ironton, OH | 43 mi | 102° ESE | Good |
| Meads, KY | 44 mi | 90° E | Good |
| Flatwoods, KY | 45 mi | 100° E | Good |
| Oak Hill, WV | 51 mi | 307° NW | Good |
| Wheelersburg, OH | 56 mi | 113° ESE | Good |
| Grayson, KY | 57 mi | 84° E | Good |
| Summersville, WV | 58 mi | 279° W | Good |
| Beckley, WV | 58 mi | 318° NW | Good |
| Jackson, OH | 60 mi | 138° SE | Good |
| Wellston, OH | 60 mi | 145° SE | Good |
| Parkersburg, WV | 62 mi | 197° SSW | Good |
| Belpre, OH | 62 mi | 197° SSW | Good |
| Portsmouth, OH | 63 mi | 110° ESE | Good |
| Paintsville, KY | 64 mi | 50° NE | Good |
| Athens, OH | 65 mi | 170° S | Good |
| Vienna, WV | 66 mi | 197° SSW | Good |
| Prestonsburg, KY | 70 mi | 42° NE | Fair |
| Pikeville, KY | 72 mi | 27° NNE | Fair |
| Marietta, OH | 74 mi | 199° SSW | Fair |
| Nelsonville, OH | 75 mi | 166° SSE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCHS-TV transmitter tower?
WCHS-TV broadcasts from a tower at 38.4078, -81.9033, near Teays Valley, WV. It is licensed to Charleston, West Virginia.
What channel is WCHS-TV on?
WCHS-TV appears as virtual channel 8 (8.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying ABC.
How far does WCHS-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 75 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 84 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCHS-TV with an antenna?
About 1,160,000 people live in the 133 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCHS-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCHS-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.