WSES
Full power TV station · Tuscaloosa, Alabama
WSES is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Its signal is estimated to reach about 156 cities and towns within 84 miles.
About WSES
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 800 kW effective radiated power, WSES runs more power than 73% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 661 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 91% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 73 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 84 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 156 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,390,000 residents, as far as Decatur, AL (82 miles).
WSES shares its transmitter site with WDBB (CW). 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 | Tuscaloosa, AL |
| Tower location | 33.48000, -87.43056 |
| Effective radiated power | 800 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 661 m (2,168 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 21258 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WSES
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northport, AL | 19 mi | 26° NNE | Strong |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 20 mi | 23° NNE | Strong |
| Hueytown, AL | 25 mi | 275° W | Good |
| Jasper, AL | 26 mi | 200° SSW | Good |
| Pleasant Grove, AL | 27 mi | 268° W | Good |
| Bessemer, AL | 28 mi | 281° WNW | Good |
| Fairfield, AL | 30 mi | 269° W | Good |
| Forestdale, AL | 31 mi | 259° WSW | Good |
| Hoover, AL | 36 mi | 278° W | Good |
| Helena, AL | 36 mi | 291° WNW | Good |
| Birmingham, AL | 36 mi | 266° W | Good |
| Homewood, AL | 36 mi | 271° W | Good |
| Vestavia Hills, AL | 37 mi | 274° W | Good |
| Fultondale, AL | 38 mi | 257° WSW | Good |
| Gardendale, AL | 38 mi | 251° WSW | Good |
| Pelham, AL | 38 mi | 291° WNW | Good |
| Alabaster, AL | 39 mi | 295° WNW | Good |
| Mountain Brook, AL | 39 mi | 268° W | Good |
| Irondale, AL | 42 mi | 265° W | Good |
| Meadowbrook, AL | 43 mi | 277° W | Good |
| Center Point, AL | 45 mi | 255° WSW | Good |
| Calera, AL | 47 mi | 304° NW | Good |
| Chelsea, AL | 47 mi | 282° WNW | Good |
| Trussville, AL | 48 mi | 259° WSW | Good |
| Dixiana, AL | 48 mi | 248° WSW | Good |
| Clay, AL | 50 mi | 252° WSW | Good |
| Leeds, AL | 51 mi | 265° W | Good |
| Moody, AL | 55 mi | 262° W | Good |
| Columbus, MS | 57 mi | 91° E | Good |
| Cullman, AL | 59 mi | 215° SW | Good |
| Clanton, AL | 64 mi | 314° NW | Good |
| Pell City, AL | 66 mi | 264° W | Good |
| West Point, MS | 71 mi | 97° E | Good |
| Sylacauga, AL | 71 mi | 288° WNW | Good |
| Hartselle, AL | 72 mi | 203° SSW | Good |
| Russellville, AL | 73 mi | 166° SSE | Good |
| Talladega, AL | 76 mi | 273° W | Fair |
| Selma, AL | 78 mi | 342° NNW | Fair |
| Starkville, MS | 80 mi | 88° E | Fair |
| Decatur, AL | 82 mi | 198° SSW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- WDBBCW · 17
- WBMA-LDABC · 58
- WABMABC · 68.2
- WTTOCW · 21
- WIATCBS · 42
- WPXH-TVION · 44
- WTBM-CDTelemundo · 24
- WBRCFox · 6
- WVTM-TVNBC · 13
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WSES transmitter tower?
WSES broadcasts from a tower at 33.4800, -87.4306, near Berry, AL. It is licensed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
How far does WSES broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 84 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 92 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WSES with an antenna?
About 1,390,000 people live in the 156 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WSES?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WSES tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.