WTKR (CBS) · Channel 3
Full power TV station · Norfolk, Virginia
WTKR is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 3, licensed to Norfolk, Virginia. Its signal is estimated to reach about 71 cities and towns within 68 miles.
About WTKR
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 610 kW effective radiated power, WTKR runs more power than 66% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 375 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 51% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 57 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 68 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 71 cities and towns in our guide with about 2,040,000 residents, as far as Chester, VA (64 miles).
WTKR shares its transmitter site with WGNT, WHRO-TV, WTVZ-TV and WTPC-TV (Trinity). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CBS station in our data is WTVR-TV in Richmond, VA, 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 | Norfolk, VA |
| Tower location | 36.80883, -76.50314 |
| Effective radiated power | 610 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 375 m (1,230 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 47401 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WTKR
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suffolk, VA | 7.2 mi | 39° NE | Strong |
| Portsmouth Heights, VA | 7.5 mi | 264° W | Strong |
| South Suffolk, VA | 8.0 mi | 37° NE | Strong |
| Carrollton, VA | 10 mi | 162° SSE | Strong |
| Portsmouth, VA | 11 mi | 261° W | Strong |
| Norfolk, VA | 12 mi | 258° WSW | Strong |
| Chesapeake, VA | 13 mi | 267° W | Strong |
| Windsor, VA | 13 mi | 90° E | Strong |
| Smithfield, VA | 14 mi | 149° SSE | Strong |
| Hampton, VA | 18 mi | 210° SSW | Strong |
| East Hampton, VA | 18 mi | 211° SSW | Strong |
| Newport News, VA | 19 mi | 186° S | Strong |
| Poquoson, VA | 23 mi | 202° SSW | Good |
| Franklin, VA | 25 mi | 69° ENE | Good |
| Moyock, NC | 27 mi | 318° NW | Good |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 29 mi | 264° W | Good |
| Gloucester Point, VA | 31 mi | 181° S | Good |
| Williamsburg, VA | 34 mi | 160° SSE | Good |
| Elizabeth City, NC | 38 mi | 339° NNW | Good |
| Gloucester Courthouse, VA | 42 mi | 178° S | Good |
| Murfreesboro, NC | 42 mi | 52° NE | Good |
| Ahoskie, NC | 45 mi | 36° NE | Good |
| Edenton, NC | 52 mi | 6° N | Good |
| West Point, VA | 52 mi | 162° SSE | Good |
| Fort Lee, VA | 55 mi | 123° ESE | Good |
| Hopewell, VA | 55 mi | 128° SE | Good |
| Petersburg, VA | 57 mi | 120° ESE | Good |
| Enon, VA | 58 mi | 128° SE | Good |
| Emporia, VA | 58 mi | 81° E | Good |
| Colonial Heights, VA | 59 mi | 122° ESE | Good |
| Ettrick, VA | 59 mi | 120° ESE | Good |
| Matoaca, VA | 61 mi | 118° ESE | Fair |
| Windsor, NC | 61 mi | 24° NNE | Fair |
| Southern Shores, NC | 63 mi | 317° NW | Fair |
| Chester, VA | 64 mi | 126° SE | Fair |
| Fort Lee, VA | 66 mi | 136° SE | Fair |
| Plymouth, NC | 67 mi | 12° NNE | Fair |
| Sandston, VA | 67 mi | 138° SE | Fair |
| Bellwood, VA | 67 mi | 129° SE | Fair |
| Chesterfield Court House, VA | 68 mi | 125° SE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WTKR transmitter tower?
WTKR broadcasts from a tower at 36.8088, -76.5031, near Suffolk, VA. It is licensed to Norfolk, Virginia.
What channel is WTKR on?
WTKR appears as virtual channel 3 (3.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does WTKR broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 68 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 76 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WTKR with an antenna?
About 2,040,000 people live in the 71 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WTKR?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WTKR tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.