WCNC-TV (NBC) · Channel 36
Full power TV station · Charlotte, North Carolina
WCNC-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 36, licensed to Charlotte, North Carolina. Its signal is estimated to reach about 252 cities and towns within 81 miles.
About WCNC-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 857 kW effective radiated power, WCNC-TV runs more power than 76% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 592 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 85% 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 252 cities and towns in our guide with about 3,210,000 residents, as far as Asheboro, NC (80 miles).
The nearest other NBC station in our data is WYFF in Greenville, SC, 83 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 | 36 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Charlotte, NC |
| Tower location | 35.34706, -81.17061 |
| Effective radiated power | 857 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 592 m (1,943 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 32326 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCNC-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gastonia, NC | 5.9 mi | 9° N | Strong |
| Mount Holly, NC | 9.4 mi | 291° WNW | Strong |
| Huntersville, NC | 19 mi | 257° WSW | Strong |
| Cornelius, NC | 20 mi | 241° WSW | Strong |
| Charlotte, NC | 20 mi | 294° WNW | Strong |
| Shelby, NC | 21 mi | 79° E | Strong |
| Mooresville, NC | 26 mi | 231° SW | Good |
| Hickory, NC | 28 mi | 160° SSE | Good |
| Harrisburg, NC | 29 mi | 273° W | Good |
| Matthews, NC | 30 mi | 302° WNW | Good |
| Rock Hill, SC | 30 mi | 344° NNW | Good |
| Mint Hill, NC | 32 mi | 292° WNW | Good |
| Kannapolis, NC | 32 mi | 253° WSW | Good |
| Stallings, NC | 33 mi | 303° WNW | Good |
| Concord, NC | 33 mi | 263° W | Good |
| Indian Trail, NC | 34 mi | 304° WNW | Good |
| Statesville, NC | 34 mi | 208° SSW | Good |
| Morganton, NC | 40 mi | 133° SE | Good |
| Monroe, NC | 43 mi | 306° NW | Good |
| Lenoir, NC | 44 mi | 152° SSE | Good |
| Salisbury, NC | 45 mi | 240° WSW | Good |
| Spartanburg, SC | 51 mi | 57° ENE | Good |
| Albemarle, NC | 55 mi | 270° W | Good |
| Lexington, NC | 61 mi | 238° WSW | Good |
| Clemmons, NC | 64 mi | 224° SW | Good |
| Greer, SC | 66 mi | 64° ENE | Good |
| Boone, NC | 66 mi | 155° SSE | Good |
| Taylors, SC | 70 mi | 65° ENE | Good |
| Five Forks, SC | 71 mi | 58° ENE | Good |
| Thomasville, NC | 71 mi | 239° WSW | Good |
| Wade Hampton, SC | 72 mi | 65° ENE | Fair |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 74 mi | 225° SW | Fair |
| Simpsonville, SC | 74 mi | 55° NE | Fair |
| Mauldin, SC | 75 mi | 58° ENE | Fair |
| Greenville, SC | 77 mi | 63° ENE | Fair |
| High Point, NC | 78 mi | 238° WSW | Fair |
| Berea, SC | 79 mi | 66° ENE | Fair |
| Asheville, NC | 80 mi | 102° ESE | Fair |
| Asheboro, NC | 80 mi | 252° WSW | Fair |
| Gantt, SC | 80 mi | 62° ENE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCNC-TV transmitter tower?
WCNC-TV broadcasts from a tower at 35.3471, -81.1706, near Dallas, NC. It is licensed to Charlotte, North Carolina.
What channel is WCNC-TV on?
WCNC-TV appears as virtual channel 36 (36.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does WCNC-TV 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 WCNC-TV with an antenna?
About 3,210,000 people live in the 252 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCNC-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCNC-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.