WDSU (NBC) · Channel 6
Full power TV station · New Orleans, Louisiana
WDSU is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 6, licensed to New Orleans, Louisiana. Its signal is estimated to reach about 110 cities and towns within 64 miles.
About WDSU
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 925 kW effective radiated power, WDSU runs more power than 77% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 288 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 24% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 51 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 64 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 110 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,620,000 residents, as far as West Gulfport, MS (60 miles).
WDSU shares its transmitter site with WNOL-TV (CW), WGNO (ABC), WYES-TV and WVUE-DT (Fox). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other NBC station in our data is WVLA-TV in Baton Rouge, LA, 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 | 6 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | New Orleans, LA |
| Tower location | 29.95000, -89.95778 |
| Effective radiated power | 925 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 288 m (946 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 71357 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WDSU
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chalmette, LA | 0.7 mi | 43° NE | Strong |
| Terrytown, LA | 5.3 mi | 58° ENE | Strong |
| Gretna, LA | 6.3 mi | 67° ENE | Strong |
| Timberlane, LA | 6.7 mi | 42° NE | Strong |
| Belle Chasse, LA | 6.9 mi | 17° NNE | Strong |
| New Orleans, LA | 7.0 mi | 93° E | Strong |
| Harvey, LA | 7.8 mi | 66° ENE | Strong |
| Marrero, LA | 9.2 mi | 68° ENE | Strong |
| Woodmere, LA | 9.7 mi | 49° NE | Strong |
| Westwego, LA | 11 mi | 75° ENE | Strong |
| Estelle, LA | 11 mi | 51° NE | Strong |
| Jefferson, LA | 12 mi | 95° E | Strong |
| Metairie, LA | 12 mi | 101° ESE | Strong |
| Metairie Terrace, LA | 12 mi | 99° E | Strong |
| Harahan, LA | 15 mi | 87° E | Strong |
| Waggaman, LA | 15 mi | 82° E | Strong |
| River Ridge, LA | 15 mi | 93° E | Strong |
| Kenner, LA | 17 mi | 100° E | Strong |
| Destrehan, LA | 24 mi | 89° E | Strong |
| Luling, LA | 25 mi | 87° E | Strong |
| Slidell, LA | 25 mi | 205° SSW | Strong |
| Lacombe, LA | 25 mi | 182° S | Strong |
| Mandeville, LA | 29 mi | 167° SSE | Good |
| Laplace, LA | 32 mi | 104° ESE | Good |
| Reserve, LA | 36 mi | 101° ESE | Good |
| Covington, LA | 37 mi | 167° SSE | Good |
| Raceland, LA | 41 mi | 68° ENE | Good |
| Picayune, MS | 43 mi | 203° SSW | Good |
| Bay Saint Louis, MS | 45 mi | 237° WSW | Good |
| Diamondhead, MS | 47 mi | 229° SW | Good |
| Hammond, LA | 49 mi | 142° SE | Good |
| Carriere, MS | 50 mi | 202° SSW | Good |
| Houma, LA | 52 mi | 62° ENE | Good |
| Bayou Cane, LA | 53 mi | 64° ENE | Good |
| Thibodaux, LA | 53 mi | 78° ENE | Good |
| Long Beach, MS | 55 mi | 240° WSW | Fair |
| Bogalusa, LA | 58 mi | 186° S | Fair |
| Gulfport, MS | 59 mi | 241° WSW | Fair |
| West Gulfport, MS | 60 mi | 239° WSW | Fair |
| Gonzales, LA | 61 mi | 109° ESE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WDSU transmitter tower?
WDSU broadcasts from a tower at 29.9500, -89.9578, near Chalmette, LA. It is licensed to New Orleans, Louisiana.
What channel is WDSU on?
WDSU appears as virtual channel 6 (6.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does WDSU broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 64 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 72 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WDSU with an antenna?
About 1,620,000 people live in the 110 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WDSU?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WDSU tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.