WFSB (CBS) · Channel 3
Full power TV station · Hartford, Connecticut
WFSB is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 3, licensed to Hartford, Connecticut. Its signal is estimated to reach about 402 cities and towns within 64 miles.
About WFSB
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 1,000 kW effective radiated power, WFSB runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 289 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 402 cities and towns in our guide with about 5,180,000 residents, as far as Coram, NY (63 miles).
WFSB shares its transmitter site with WWAX-LD. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CBS station in our data is WPRI-TV in Providence, RI, 78 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
CBS is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local CBS affiliates carry the network's news, daytime and primetime schedule plus local news, and CBS is the over-the-air home of many NFL Sunday afternoon games.
Station facts
| Network | CBS |
| Virtual channel | 3 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Hartford, CT |
| Tower location | 41.77500, -72.80508 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 289 m (948 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 53115 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WFSB
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Hartford, CT | 3.4 mi | 285° WNW | Strong |
| Hartford, CT | 6.2 mi | 277° W | Strong |
| New Britain, CT | 8.0 mi | 350° N | Strong |
| East Hartford, CT | 10.0 mi | 267° W | Strong |
| Bristol, CT | 10 mi | 46° NE | Strong |
| Glastonbury, CT | 11 mi | 293° WNW | Strong |
| Manchester, CT | 15 mi | 270° W | Strong |
| Meriden, CT | 16 mi | 0° N | Strong |
| Torrington, CT | 16 mi | 96° E | Strong |
| Middletown, CT | 17 mi | 332° NNW | Strong |
| West Torrington, CT | 18 mi | 100° E | Strong |
| Enfield, CT | 18 mi | 218° SW | Strong |
| Waterbury, CT | 20 mi | 40° NE | Strong |
| Naugatuck, CT | 24 mi | 32° NNE | Strong |
| Westfield, MA | 24 mi | 187° S | Strong |
| Springfield, MA | 25 mi | 206° SSW | Strong |
| Hamden, CT | 27 mi | 10° N | Good |
| Chicopee, MA | 28 mi | 201° SSW | Good |
| North Chicopee, MA | 30 mi | 201° SSW | Good |
| Holyoke, MA | 31 mi | 198° SSW | Good |
| New Haven, CT | 33 mi | 11° N | Good |
| Shelton, CT | 35 mi | 25° NNE | Good |
| West Haven, CT | 36 mi | 12° NNE | Good |
| City of Milford (balance), CT | 40 mi | 19° NNE | Good |
| Milford, CT | 40 mi | 19° NNE | Good |
| Norwich, CT | 41 mi | 295° WNW | Good |
| Trumbull, CT | 42 mi | 29° NNE | Good |
| Danbury, CT | 43 mi | 52° NE | Good |
| Amherst, MA | 43 mi | 200° SSW | Good |
| Stratford, CT | 44 mi | 22° NNE | Good |
| Bridgeport, CT | 46 mi | 26° NNE | Good |
| Fairfield, CT | 50 mi | 28° NNE | Good |
| Pittsfield, MA | 52 mi | 154° SSE | Good |
| Norwalk, CT | 55 mi | 34° NE | Good |
| East Norwalk, CT | 56 mi | 33° NNE | Fair |
| Coventry, RI | 58 mi | 275° W | Fair |
| North Stamford, CT | 58 mi | 41° NE | Fair |
| Worcester, MA | 62 mi | 237° WSW | Fair |
| Stamford, CT | 63 mi | 37° NE | Fair |
| Coram, NY | 63 mi | 9° N | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- WTIC-TVFox · 61
- WCCT-TVCW · 20
- WHPX-TVION · 26
- WHCT-LDMeTV · 35.1
- WRDM-CDTelemundo · 19
- WVITNBC · 30
- WUVNUnivision · 18
- WHTX-LDUnivision · 43
- WWLPCW · 22.2
- WDMR-LDTelemundo · 14
- WTNHABC · 8
- WGGB-TVABC · 40
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WFSB transmitter tower?
WFSB broadcasts from a tower at 41.7750, -72.8051, near West Hartford, CT. It is licensed to Hartford, Connecticut.
What channel is WFSB on?
WFSB appears as virtual channel 3 (3.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does WFSB 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 WFSB with an antenna?
About 5,180,000 people live in the 402 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WFSB?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WFSB tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.