WCTE
Full power TV station · Cookeville, Tennessee
WCTE is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Cookeville, Tennessee. Its signal is estimated to reach about 81 cities and towns within 67 miles.
About WCTE
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 200 kW effective radiated power, WCTE runs more power than 45% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 425 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 60% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 60 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 67 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 81 cities and towns in our guide with about 605,000 residents, as far as Smyrna, TN (67 miles).
WCTE shares its transmitter site with W35DZ-D. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
Station facts
| Network | Independent / not listed |
| Virtual channel | Not listed |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Cookeville, TN |
| Tower location | 36.17389, -85.34361 |
| Effective radiated power | 200 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 425 m (1,394 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 69479 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCTE
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey, TN | 4.6 mi | 293° WNW | Strong |
| Algood, TN | 6.0 mi | 105° ESE | Strong |
| Cookeville, TN | 8.8 mi | 85° E | Strong |
| Livingston, TN | 15 mi | 185° S | Good |
| Sparta, TN | 18 mi | 21° NNE | Good |
| Lafayette, TN | 21 mi | 92° E | Good |
| Crossville, TN | 24 mi | 311° NW | Good |
| Lake Tansi, TN | 26 mi | 322° NW | Good |
| Fairfield Glade, TN | 28 mi | 295° WNW | Good |
| Smithville, TN | 30 mi | 61° ENE | Good |
| McMinnville, TN | 41 mi | 35° NE | Good |
| Rockwood, TN | 43 mi | 300° WNW | Good |
| Lafayette, TN | 45 mi | 122° ESE | Good |
| Harriman, TN | 47 mi | 291° WNW | Fair |
| Woodbury, TN | 47 mi | 59° ENE | Fair |
| Dayton, TN | 51 mi | 339° NNW | Fair |
| Kingston, TN | 51 mi | 294° WNW | Fair |
| Oneida, TN | 51 mi | 244° WSW | Fair |
| Coalfield, TN | 52 mi | 281° WNW | Fair |
| Lebanon, TN | 53 mi | 92° E | Fair |
| Monticello, KY | 53 mi | 211° SSW | Fair |
| Dunlap, TN | 56 mi | 3° N | Fair |
| Sale Creek, TN | 56 mi | 347° NNW | Fair |
| Oliver Springs, TN | 56 mi | 279° W | Fair |
| Oak Ridge, TN | 61 mi | 281° W | Fair |
| Scottsville, KY | 62 mi | 130° SE | Fair |
| Russell Springs, KY | 63 mi | 193° SSW | Fair |
| Murfreesboro, TN | 63 mi | 69° ENE | Fair |
| Gallatin, TN | 63 mi | 103° ESE | Fair |
| Sweetwater, TN | 63 mi | 309° NW | Fair |
| Manchester, TN | 63 mi | 41° NE | Fair |
| Loudon, TN | 64 mi | 299° WNW | Fair |
| Columbia, KY | 64 mi | 182° S | Fair |
| Glasgow, KY | 65 mi | 151° SSE | Fair |
| Soddy-Daisy, TN | 65 mi | 353° N | Fair |
| Mount Juliet, TN | 66 mi | 91° E | Fair |
| Athens, TN | 66 mi | 320° NW | Fair |
| Lenoir City, TN | 66 mi | 293° WNW | Fair |
| Smyrna, TN | 67 mi | 78° ENE | Fair |
| Christiana, TN | 67 mi | 61° ENE | Fair |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCTE transmitter tower?
WCTE broadcasts from a tower at 36.1739, -85.3436, near Monterey, TN. It is licensed to Cookeville, Tennessee.
How far does WCTE broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 67 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 76 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCTE with an antenna?
About 605,000 people live in the 81 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCTE?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCTE tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.