WCVW
Full power TV station · Richmond, Virginia
WCVW is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Richmond, Virginia. Its signal is estimated to reach about 81 cities and towns within 60 miles.
About WCVW
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 112 kW effective radiated power, WCVW runs more power than 40% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 327 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 39% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 54 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 60 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 81 cities and towns in our guide with about 812,000 residents, as far as Charlottesville, VA (60 miles).
WCVW shares its transmitter site with WRLH-TV (Fox), WCVE-TV, WNVT, WTVR-TV (CBS), WZTD-LD (Telemundo) and WRIC-TV (ABC) and 3 more. 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 | Richmond, VA |
| Tower location | 37.51267, -77.60133 |
| Effective radiated power | 112 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 327 m (1,074 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 9989 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCVW
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Air, VA | 2.5 mi | 251° WSW | Strong |
| Tuckahoe, VA | 5.9 mi | 205° SSW | Strong |
| Brandermill, VA | 6.2 mi | 25° NNE | Strong |
| Woodlake, VA | 7.6 mi | 34° NE | Strong |
| Richmond, VA | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Strong |
| Meadowbrook, VA | 8.3 mi | 302° WNW | Strong |
| Dumbarton, VA | 8.7 mi | 224° SW | Strong |
| Lakeside, VA | 9.5 mi | 226° SW | Good |
| Short Pump, VA | 9.5 mi | 176° S | Good |
| Bensley, VA | 9.8 mi | 298° WNW | Good |
| Laurel, VA | 10 mi | 209° SSW | Good |
| Chesterfield Court House, VA | 11 mi | 331° NNW | Good |
| Bellwood, VA | 11 mi | 305° NW | Good |
| East Highland Park, VA | 12 mi | 246° WSW | Good |
| Glen Allen, VA | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Good |
| Montrose, VA | 12 mi | 267° W | Good |
| Chamberlayne, VA | 12 mi | 230° SW | Good |
| Wyndham, VA | 13 mi | 177° S | Good |
| Chester, VA | 14 mi | 321° NW | Good |
| Mechanicsville, VA | 14 mi | 242° WSW | Good |
| Fort Lee, VA | 15 mi | 275° W | Good |
| Highland Springs, VA | 15 mi | 261° W | Good |
| Sandston, VA | 16 mi | 267° W | Good |
| Ashland, VA | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Good |
| Enon, VA | 20 mi | 310° NW | Good |
| Colonial Heights, VA | 20 mi | 328° NNW | Good |
| Ettrick, VA | 21 mi | 334° NNW | Good |
| Hopewell, VA | 22 mi | 310° NW | Good |
| Petersburg, VA | 23 mi | 331° NNW | Good |
| Blackstone, VA | 37 mi | 36° NE | Fair |
| Farmville, VA | 46 mi | 71° ENE | Fair |
| Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA | 47 mi | 181° S | Fair |
| Lake Monticello, VA | 49 mi | 125° SE | Fair |
| Williamsburg, VA | 52 mi | 289° WNW | Fair |
| Fredericksburg, VA | 55 mi | 188° S | Fair |
| Falmouth, VA | 57 mi | 187° S | Fair |
| King George, VA | 57 mi | 204° SSW | Fair |
| Emporia, VA | 57 mi | 357° N | Fair |
| Orange, VA | 58 mi | 151° SSE | Fair |
| Charlottesville, VA | 60 mi | 126° SE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- WRLH-TVFox · 35
- WTVR-TVCBS · 6
- WZTD-LDTelemundo · 45
- WRIC-TVABC · 8
- WFWG-LDION · 30.4
- WWBTNBC · 12
- WUPVCW · 65
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCVW transmitter tower?
WCVW broadcasts from a tower at 37.5127, -77.6013, near Bon Air, VA. It is licensed to Richmond, Virginia.
How far does WCVW broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 60 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 68 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCVW with an antenna?
About 812,000 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 WCVW?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCVW tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.