WCMH-TV (NBC) · Channel 4
Full power TV station · Columbus, Ohio
WCMH-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 4, licensed to Columbus, Ohio. Its signal is estimated to reach about 144 cities and towns within 62 miles.
About WCMH-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 902 kW effective radiated power, WCMH-TV runs more power than 77% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 264 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 19% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 49 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 62 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 144 cities and towns in our guide with about 2,190,000 residents, as far as Mansfield, OH (61 miles).
WCMH-TV shares its transmitter site with WSFJ-TV, WCLL-CD, W17EB-D, WGCT-CD and WBNS-TV (CBS). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other NBC station in our data is WDTN in Dayton, OH, 67 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 | 4 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Columbus, OH |
| Tower location | 39.97111, -83.02778 |
| Effective radiated power | 902 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 264 m (866 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 50781 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCMH-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | 1.7 mi | 294° WNW | Strong |
| Upper Arlington, OH | 2.4 mi | 131° SE | Strong |
| Bexley, OH | 4.8 mi | 272° W | Strong |
| Grove City, OH | 7.1 mi | 29° NNE | Strong |
| Whitehall, OH | 7.5 mi | 272° W | Strong |
| Hilliard, OH | 8.1 mi | 122° ESE | Strong |
| Worthington, OH | 8.4 mi | 184° S | Strong |
| Gahanna, OH | 8.5 mi | 247° WSW | Strong |
| Dublin, OH | 10.0 mi | 153° SSE | Strong |
| Reynoldsburg, OH | 11 mi | 276° W | Strong |
| Westerville, OH | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Strong |
| Powell, OH | 13 mi | 169° S | Strong |
| Pickerington, OH | 16 mi | 293° WNW | Strong |
| Lewis Center, OH | 16 mi | 183° S | Strong |
| Pataskala, OH | 19 mi | 265° W | Strong |
| Delaware, OH | 23 mi | 175° S | Strong |
| London, OH | 23 mi | 75° ENE | Strong |
| Marysville, OH | 26 mi | 136° SE | Good |
| Circleville, OH | 26 mi | 350° N | Good |
| Lancaster, OH | 29 mi | 308° NW | Good |
| Heath, OH | 31 mi | 264° W | Good |
| Newark, OH | 34 mi | 260° W | Good |
| Washington Court House, OH | 37 mi | 36° NE | Good |
| Urbana, OH | 39 mi | 104° ESE | Good |
| Mount Vernon, OH | 41 mi | 225° SW | Good |
| Springfield, OH | 41 mi | 85° E | Good |
| Marion, OH | 43 mi | 173° S | Good |
| Chillicothe, OH | 44 mi | 357° N | Good |
| Bellefontaine, OH | 47 mi | 125° SE | Good |
| Xenia, OH | 52 mi | 67° ENE | Good |
| Fairborn, OH | 54 mi | 79° ENE | Fair |
| Zanesville, OH | 54 mi | 273° W | Fair |
| Galion, OH | 54 mi | 193° SSW | Fair |
| Wilmington, OH | 56 mi | 49° NE | Fair |
| Beavercreek, OH | 58 mi | 71° ENE | Fair |
| Bucyrus, OH | 58 mi | 183° S | Fair |
| Huber Heights, OH | 59 mi | 81° E | Fair |
| Riverside, OH | 60 mi | 77° ENE | Fair |
| Tipp City, OH | 61 mi | 89° E | Fair |
| Mansfield, OH | 61 mi | 207° SSW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCMH-TV transmitter tower?
WCMH-TV broadcasts from a tower at 39.9711, -83.0278, near Grandview Heights, OH. It is licensed to Columbus, Ohio.
What channel is WCMH-TV on?
WCMH-TV appears as virtual channel 4 (4.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does WCMH-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 62 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 70 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCMH-TV with an antenna?
About 2,190,000 people live in the 144 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCMH-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCMH-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.