ABC

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.

Aim your antenna at WCHS-TV

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

NetworkABC
Virtual channel8
Station typeFull power (DTV)
City of licenseCharleston, WV
Tower location38.40778, -81.90333
Effective radiated power533 kW
Antenna height (HAAT)514 m (1,687 ft)
FCC facility ID71280
License statusLicensed

Cities that can receive WCHS-TV

Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.

CityDistancePoint antennaEst. signal
Teays Valley, WV3.2 mi154° SSEStrong
Nitro, WV3.2 mi261° WStrong
Saint Albans, WV3.9 mi293° WNWStrong
Tornado, WV5.5 mi325° NWStrong
Cross Lanes, WV6.2 mi262° WStrong
Hurricane, WV6.6 mi105° ESEStrong
Dunbar, WV9.6 mi290° WNWStrong
South Charleston, WV11 mi284° WNWStrong
Charleston, WV15 mi285° WNWStrong
Sissonville, WV17 mi241° WSWStrong
Barboursville, WV21 mi90° EGood
Pea Ridge, WV23 mi91° EGood
Huntington, WV29 mi91° EGood
Gallipolis, OH32 mi150° SSEGood
Point Pleasant, WV33 mi157° SSEGood
South Point, OH37 mi91° EGood
Ravenswood, WV38 mi192° SSWGood
Ashland, KY40 mi97° EGood
Westwood, KY42 mi97° EGood
Ironville, KY43 mi94° EGood
Ironton, OH43 mi102° ESEGood
Meads, KY44 mi90° EGood
Flatwoods, KY45 mi100° EGood
Oak Hill, WV51 mi307° NWGood
Wheelersburg, OH56 mi113° ESEGood
Grayson, KY57 mi84° EGood
Summersville, WV58 mi279° WGood
Beckley, WV58 mi318° NWGood
Jackson, OH60 mi138° SEGood
Wellston, OH60 mi145° SEGood
Parkersburg, WV62 mi197° SSWGood
Belpre, OH62 mi197° SSWGood
Portsmouth, OH63 mi110° ESEGood
Paintsville, KY64 mi50° NEGood
Athens, OH65 mi170° SGood
Vienna, WV66 mi197° SSWGood
Prestonsburg, KY70 mi42° NEFair
Pikeville, KY72 mi27° NNEFair
Marietta, OH74 mi199° SSWFair
Nelsonville, OH75 mi166° SSEFair

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.