WGAL (NBC) · Channel 8
Full power TV station · Lancaster, Pennsylvania
WGAL is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 8, licensed to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Its signal is estimated to reach about 419 cities and towns within 63 miles.
About WGAL
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 59 kW effective radiated power, WGAL runs more power than 31% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW). Stations on VHF channels are licensed at much lower power than UHF stations to cover the same area, so a low figure does not always mean a weak signal.
Its antenna sits 419 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 59% 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 63 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 419 cities and towns in our guide with about 4,090,000 residents, as far as Middletown, DE (63 miles).
The nearest other NBC station in our data is WBAL-TV in Baltimore, MD, 48 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 | 8 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Lancaster, PA |
| Tower location | 40.03444, -76.61861 |
| Effective radiated power | 59 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 419 m (1,375 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 53930 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WGAL
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 7.6 mi | 49° NE | Good |
| Lancaster, PA | 17 mi | 269° W | Good |
| Harrisburg, PA | 22 mi | 140° SE | Good |
| Lebanon, PA | 24 mi | 207° SSW | Good |
| Bel Air North, MD | 36 mi | 339° NNW | Fair |
| North Bel Air, MD | 37 mi | 338° NNW | Fair |
| Hunt Valley, MD | 37 mi | 2° N | Fair |
| South Bel Air, MD | 38 mi | 337° NNW | Fair |
| Bel Air South, MD | 40 mi | 337° NNW | Fair |
| Reisterstown, MD | 41 mi | 16° NNE | Fair |
| Reading, PA | 42 mi | 241° WSW | Fair |
| Owings Mills, MD | 43 mi | 11° NNE | Fair |
| Towson, MD | 44 mi | 359° N | Fair |
| Perry Hall, MD | 44 mi | 349° N | Fair |
| Carney, MD | 45 mi | 354° N | Fair |
| Parkville, MD | 46 mi | 355° N | Fair |
| Edgewood, MD | 46 mi | 338° NNW | Fair |
| Pikesville, MD | 46 mi | 7° N | Fair |
| Eldersburg, MD | 47 mi | 22° NNE | Fair |
| Randallstown, MD | 47 mi | 11° NNE | Fair |
| Milford Mill, MD | 48 mi | 10° N | Fair |
| Lochearn, MD | 48 mi | 7° N | Fair |
| Middle River, MD | 49 mi | 349° N | Fair |
| Woodlawn, MD | 50 mi | 7° N | Fair |
| Essex, MD | 51 mi | 351° N | Fair |
| Baltimore, MD | 51 mi | 360° N | Fair |
| Newark, DE | 52 mi | 298° WNW | Fair |
| Catonsville, MD | 53 mi | 6° N | Fair |
| Pottstown, PA | 53 mi | 254° WSW | Fair |
| Ellicott City, MD | 54 mi | 10° N | Fair |
| Dundalk, MD | 54 mi | 355° N | Fair |
| Ilchester, MD | 55 mi | 8° N | Fair |
| Columbia, MD | 56 mi | 12° NNE | Fair |
| West Elkridge, MD | 57 mi | 6° N | Fair |
| Hanover, MD | 58 mi | 5° N | Fair |
| Frederick, MD | 60 mi | 44° NE | Fair |
| Wilmington, DE | 60 mi | 290° WNW | Fair |
| Glen Burnie, MD | 60 mi | 0° N | Fair |
| Severn, MD | 62 mi | 4° N | Fair |
| South Gate, MD | 63 mi | 0° N | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WGAL transmitter tower?
WGAL broadcasts from a tower at 40.0344, -76.6186, near Hallam, PA. It is licensed to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
What channel is WGAL on?
WGAL appears as virtual channel 8 (8.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does WGAL broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 63 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 WGAL with an antenna?
About 4,090,000 people live in the 419 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WGAL?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WGAL tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.