WVAW-LD (ABC) · Channel 16
Class A TV station · Charlottesville, Virginia
WVAW-LD is a class a over-the-air TV station affiliated with ABC on virtual channel 16, licensed to Charlottesville, Virginia. Its signal is estimated to reach about 33 cities and towns within 36 miles.
About WVAW-LD
Class A stations are low-power stations that gained protected status under the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999. They cover a smaller area than a full-power station, but other stations may not interfere with them.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 36 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 33 cities and towns in our guide with about 179,000 residents, as far as Staunton, VA (34 miles).
WVAW-LD shares its transmitter site with WCAV (Fox), WAHU-LD, WVIR-CD (CW), WVIR-TV (CW), WHTJ and WNVC. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other ABC station in our data is WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, VA, 47 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
ABC is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local ABC affiliates carry the national morning, evening news and primetime schedule alongside their own local newscasts, and the network carries major sports such as NBA games.
Station facts
| Network | ABC |
| Virtual channel | 16 |
| Station type | Class A (DCA) |
| City of license | Charlottesville, VA |
| Tower location | 37.98450, -78.48086 |
| Effective radiated power | 15 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | Not listed |
| FCC facility ID | 4687 |
| License status | Application pending |
Cities that can receive WVAW-LD
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VA | 3.1 mi | 184° S | Strong |
| Pantops, VA | 3.7 mi | 202° SSW | Good |
| Lake Monticello, VA | 9.0 mi | 298° WNW | Good |
| Hollymead, VA | 9.4 mi | 193° SSW | Good |
| Crozet, VA | 13 mi | 116° ESE | Fair |
| Palmyra, VA | 15 mi | 306° NW | Fair |
| Ruckersville, VA | 18 mi | 199° SSW | Fair |
| Twin Lakes, VA | 18 mi | 186° S | Fair |
| Gordonsville, VA | 19 mi | 237° WSW | Fair |
| Weber City, VA | 19 mi | 326° NW | Fair |
| Stanardsville, VA | 22 mi | 186° S | Fair |
| Dooms, VA | 22 mi | 113° ESE | Fair |
| Nellysford, VA | 22 mi | 73° ENE | Fair |
| Waynesboro, VA | 23 mi | 104° ESE | Fair |
| Crimora, VA | 23 mi | 120° ESE | Fair |
| Lyndhurst, VA | 25 mi | 97° E | Fair |
| Louisa, VA | 26 mi | 264° W | Fair |
| Lovingston, VA | 26 mi | 54° NE | Fair |
| Orange, VA | 27 mi | 228° SW | Fair |
| Grottoes, VA | 27 mi | 136° SE | Fair |
| Fishersville, VA | 28 mi | 106° ESE | Fair |
| Madison, VA | 30 mi | 204° SSW | Fair |
| Stuarts Draft, VA | 30 mi | 96° E | Fair |
| Elkton, VA | 30 mi | 165° SSE | Fair |
| Buckingham, VA | 30 mi | 8° N | Fair |
| Weyers Cave, VA | 32 mi | 132° SE | Fair |
| Verona, VA | 32 mi | 117° ESE | Fair |
| Massanutten, VA | 33 mi | 155° SSE | Fair |
| Jolivue, VA | 33 mi | 105° ESE | Fair |
| Brightwood, VA | 34 mi | 207° SSW | Fair |
| Staunton, VA | 34 mi | 109° ESE | Fair |
| Massanetta Springs, VA | 35 mi | 146° SE | Fair |
| Shenandoah, VA | 35 mi | 167° SSE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WVAW-LD transmitter tower?
WVAW-LD broadcasts from a tower at 37.9845, -78.4809, near Charlottesville, VA. It is licensed to Charlottesville, Virginia.
What channel is WVAW-LD on?
WVAW-LD appears as virtual channel 16 (16.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying ABC.
How far does WVAW-LD broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 36 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 44 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WVAW-LD with an antenna?
About 179,000 people live in the 33 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WVAW-LD?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WVAW-LD tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.