TV channels & antenna towers in Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville has 18 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WHVD-LD, 3.0 miles to the E.
Network channels in Huntsville
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWZDXFox | 54 | 3.0 mi | 81° E | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| ABCWAAY-TVABC | 31 | 3.0 mi | 81° E | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| CBSWHNT-TVCBS | 19 | 3.1 mi | 79° E | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| NBCWAFFNBC | 48 | 3.2 mi | 115° ESE | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| TLMWTHV-LDTelemundo | 29 | 3.2 mi | 115° ESE | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| CWWHDFCW | 15 | 36 mi | 301° WNW | Fair | Florence, AL |
| TBNWTJP-TVTrinity | 60 | 64 mi | 173° S | Fair | Gadsden, AL |
| TBNWELF-TVTrinity | 23 | 67 mi | 84° E | Fair | Dalton, GA |
Over-the-air TV in Huntsville
Huntsville is a city of about 191,000 people in Alabama. There are 18 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 2 Class A and 7 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
11 of them are within 25 miles of Huntsville, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 5 are more than 45 miles out. Huntsville is a broadcast hub in its own right: five of the 8 network stations in range are licensed here.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 31 (WAAY-TV), CBS on channel 19 (WHNT-TV), NBC on channel 48 (WAFF), Fox on channel 54 (WZDX), CW on channel 15 (WHDF), Telemundo on channel 29 (WTHV-LD) and Trinity on channel 60 (WTJP-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal). 2 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Huntsville
Point your antenna E, at about 89°. The main network towers for Huntsville sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, WZDX, WAAY-TV, WHNT-TV and WAFF, transmit from the same tower site about 3.0 miles east of Huntsville (81° E). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Huntsville at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across three other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Huntsville, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Huntsville
The farthest main network tower for Huntsville is WAFF (NBC), 3.2 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
WHVD-LD is only 3.0 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near Huntsville
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHVD-LDLow power | 3.0 mi | 81° E | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| W34EY-DClass A | 3.0 mi | 81° E | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| WNAL-LDLow power | 3.0 mi | 81° E | Good | Huntsville, AL |
| WHIQFull power | 3.3 mi | 82° E | Strong | Huntsville, AL |
| WTZT-CDClass A | 11 mi | 305° NW | Fair | Athens, AL |
| WYAM-LDLow power | 22 mi | 239° WSW | Fair | Priceville, AL |
| WCQT-LDLow power | 41 mi | 201° SSW | Poor | Cullman, AL |
| WFET-LDLow power | 65 mi | 343° NNW | Poor | Columbia, TN |
| W20DF-DLow power | 68 mi | 257° WSW | Poor | Russellville, AL |
| WFIQFull power | 69 mi | 262° W | Poor | Florence, AL |
How Huntsville compares with the rest of Alabama
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Huntsville ranks 173rd of 314 places in Alabama: fewer than the typical Alabama town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 3.0 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.
29% of Alabama's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Huntsville: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 115° ESE, the direction of WAFF (NBC), 3.2 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
- Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
- Expect around 14 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
- Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is ABC in Huntsville, AL?
ABC is on channel 31 from WAAY-TV, broadcasting from 3.0 miles E of Huntsville. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Huntsville, AL?
CBS is on channel 19 from WHNT-TV, broadcasting from 3.1 miles E of Huntsville. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Huntsville, AL?
NBC is on channel 48 from WAFF, broadcasting from 3.2 miles ESE of Huntsville. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Huntsville, AL?
Fox is on channel 54 from WZDX, broadcasting from 3.0 miles E of Huntsville. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Huntsville, AL?
CW is on channel 15 from WHDF, broadcasting from 36 miles WNW of Huntsville. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Huntsville?
18 transmitters within 70 miles of Huntsville; around 14 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.
Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Huntsville?
Point your antenna E, at about 89°. The main network towers for Huntsville sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Huntsville?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Huntsville?
WHVD-LD is only 3.0 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Huntsville?
Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.
TV channels in nearby Alabama cities
- Meridianville8.4 mi
- Moores Mill8.7 mi
- Madison9.5 mi
- Harvest13 mi
- New Hope17 mi
- Athens22 mi
- Decatur24 mi
- Hartselle28 mi
- Arab29 mi
- Guntersville31 mi
- Scottsboro32 mi
- Danville36 mi
- Albertville39 mi
- Rogersville41 mi
- Cullman41 mi
- Boaz44 mi
- Moulton44 mi
- Blountsville45 mi
- Rainsville45 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Alabama · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Huntsville; signal estimates ignore terrain.