WRBL (CBS) · Channel 3
Full power TV station · Columbus, Georgia
WRBL is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 3, licensed to Columbus, Georgia. Its signal is estimated to reach about 84 cities and towns within 77 miles.
About WRBL
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, WRBL runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 507 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 72% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 65 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 77 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 84 cities and towns in our guide with about 974,000 residents, as far as Macon, GA (76 miles).
WRBL shares its transmitter site with WTVM (ABC), WLGA and W29FD-D. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CBS station in our data is WUPA in Atlanta, GA, 106 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 | Columbus, GA |
| Tower location | 32.32122, -84.79117 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 507 m (1,663 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 3359 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WRBL
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cusseta, GA | 1.5 mi | 315° NW | Strong |
| Columbus, GA | 15 mi | 130° SE | Strong |
| Phenix City, AL | 16 mi | 130° SE | Strong |
| Smiths Station, AL | 23 mi | 130° SE | Strong |
| Eufaula, AL | 36 mi | 35° NE | Good |
| Americus, GA | 37 mi | 298° WNW | Good |
| Cuthbert, GA | 38 mi | 360° N | Good |
| Manchester, GA | 39 mi | 195° SSW | Good |
| Opelika, AL | 41 mi | 123° ESE | Good |
| Valley, AL | 41 mi | 147° SSE | Good |
| Dawson, GA | 43 mi | 332° NNW | Good |
| Lanett, AL | 44 mi | 148° SSE | Good |
| West Point, GA | 45 mi | 149° SSE | Good |
| Auburn, AL | 45 mi | 116° ESE | Good |
| Thomaston, GA | 48 mi | 215° SW | Good |
| Hannahs Mill, GA | 49 mi | 211° SSW | Good |
| LaGrange, GA | 52 mi | 164° SSE | Good |
| Tuskegee, AL | 53 mi | 97° E | Good |
| Fort Valley, GA | 55 mi | 253° WSW | Good |
| Union Springs, AL | 55 mi | 77° ENE | Good |
| Vienna, GA | 60 mi | 286° WNW | Good |
| Unadilla, GA | 62 mi | 274° W | Good |
| Perry, GA | 63 mi | 262° W | Good |
| Barnesville, GA | 63 mi | 216° SW | Good |
| Albany, GA | 63 mi | 324° NW | Good |
| Cordele, GA | 64 mi | 293° WNW | Good |
| Byron, GA | 64 mi | 249° WSW | Good |
| Blakely, GA | 66 mi | 7° N | Good |
| Tallassee, AL | 66 mi | 103° ESE | Good |
| Roanoke, AL | 67 mi | 149° SSE | Good |
| Centerville, GA | 68 mi | 252° WSW | Good |
| Senoia, GA | 69 mi | 192° SSW | Fair |
| Forsyth, GA | 70 mi | 225° SW | Fair |
| Warner Robins, GA | 71 mi | 254° WSW | Fair |
| Griffin, GA | 71 mi | 206° SSW | Fair |
| Newnan, GA | 73 mi | 180° S | Fair |
| Headland, AL | 74 mi | 26° NNE | Fair |
| Peachtree City, GA | 75 mi | 189° S | Fair |
| Macon, GA | 76 mi | 242° WSW | Fair |
| Pike Road, AL | 77 mi | 88° E | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WRBL transmitter tower?
WRBL broadcasts from a tower at 32.3212, -84.7912, near Cusseta, GA. It is licensed to Columbus, Georgia.
What channel is WRBL on?
WRBL appears as virtual channel 3 (3.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does WRBL broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 77 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 85 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WRBL with an antenna?
About 974,000 people live in the 84 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WRBL?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WRBL tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.