WCIV (ABC) · Channel 36.2
Full power TV station · Charleston, South Carolina
WCIV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with ABC on virtual channel 36.2, licensed to Charleston, South Carolina. Its signal is estimated to reach about 64 cities and towns within 81 miles.
About WCIV
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, WCIV runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 583 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 84% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 70 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 81 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 64 cities and towns in our guide with about 865,000 residents, as far as Hilton Head Island, SC (80 miles).
WCIV shares its transmitter site with WTAT-TV (Fox) and WCBD-TV (CW). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other ABC station in our data is WOLO-TV in Columbia, SC, 102 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 | 36.2 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Charleston, SC |
| Tower location | 32.94028, -79.69556 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 583 m (1,914 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 9015 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCIV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isle of Palms, SC | 12 mi | 28° NNE | Strong |
| Mount Pleasant, SC | 14 mi | 44° NE | Strong |
| North Charleston, SC | 17 mi | 70° ENE | Strong |
| Charleston, SC | 18 mi | 50° NE | Strong |
| Hanahan, SC | 19 mi | 85° E | Strong |
| Goose Creek, SC | 20 mi | 98° E | Strong |
| James Island, SC | 22 mi | 46° NE | Strong |
| Ladson, SC | 24 mi | 97° E | Strong |
| Folly Beach, SC | 24 mi | 36° NE | Strong |
| Moncks Corner, SC | 26 mi | 134° SE | Strong |
| Sangaree, SC | 26 mi | 105° ESE | Strong |
| Shell Point, SC | 26 mi | 66° ENE | Strong |
| Centerville, SC | 28 mi | 98° E | Good |
| Summerville, SC | 28 mi | 101° E | Good |
| Hollywood, SC | 35 mi | 66° ENE | Good |
| Andrews, SC | 36 mi | 192° SSW | Good |
| Georgetown, SC | 38 mi | 218° SW | Good |
| Kingstree, SC | 51 mi | 171° S | Good |
| Walterboro, SC | 56 mi | 87° E | Good |
| Murrells Inlet, SC | 57 mi | 222° SW | Good |
| Manning, SC | 60 mi | 150° SSE | Good |
| Garden City, SC | 60 mi | 222° SW | Good |
| Surfside Beach, SC | 62 mi | 222° SW | Good |
| Lake City, SC | 64 mi | 177° S | Good |
| Socastee, SC | 65 mi | 218° SW | Good |
| Beaufort, SC | 67 mi | 58° ENE | Good |
| Forestbrook, SC | 69 mi | 218° SW | Good |
| Burton, SC | 69 mi | 59° ENE | Good |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 70 mi | 222° SW | Good |
| Port Royal, SC | 70 mi | 56° NE | Good |
| Laurel Bay, SC | 72 mi | 62° ENE | Good |
| Red Hill, SC | 72 mi | 213° SSW | Fair |
| Conway, SC | 72 mi | 211° SSW | Fair |
| Lakewood, SC | 73 mi | 149° SSE | Fair |
| Brookdale, SC | 76 mi | 121° ESE | Fair |
| Orangeburg, SC | 77 mi | 119° ESE | Fair |
| Sumter, SC | 77 mi | 151° SSE | Fair |
| Red Hill, SC | 77 mi | 199° SSW | Fair |
| Hilton Head, SC | 79 mi | 51° NE | Fair |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | 80 mi | 49° NE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCIV transmitter tower?
WCIV broadcasts from a tower at 32.9403, -79.6956, near Awendaw, SC. It is licensed to Charleston, South Carolina.
What channel is WCIV on?
WCIV appears as virtual channel 36.2 (36.2.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying ABC.
How far does WCIV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 81 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 89 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCIV with an antenna?
About 865,000 people live in the 64 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCIV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCIV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.