TV channels & antenna towers in Bristol, Maine

Bristol has 14 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 7 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W14DA-D, 24 miles to the WSW.

Open Bristol in the live finder

14TV transmitters within 70 miles

5networks over the air

24 mito the closest tower

2,749population

Network channels in Bristol

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWGME-TVFox	13.2	49 mi	268° W	Good	Portland, ME
CWWABI-TVCW	5.2	56 mi	22° NNE	Weak	Bangor, ME
NBCWCSHNBC	6	60 mi	264° W	Good	Portland, ME
IONWIPLION	35	63 mi	263° W	Weak	Lewiston, ME
CWWPXTCW	51	63 mi	263° W	Good	Portland, ME
ABCWMTWABC	8	63 mi	263° W	Fair	Poland Spring, ME
NBCWLBZNBC	2	68 mi	37° NE	Poor	Bangor, ME

Over-the-air TV in Bristol

Bristol, Maine has a population of about 2,750. There are 14 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 7 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.

1 of them is within 25 miles of Bristol, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 11 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Portland, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Portland's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 8 (WMTW), NBC on channel 6 (WCSH), Fox on channel 13.2 (WGME-TV), CW on channel 51 (WPXT) and ION on channel 35 (WIPL). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WBZ-TV in Boston, MA, 143 miles to the southwest. 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 Bristol

Point your antenna W, at about 265°. The main network towers for Bristol sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Three network stations, WIPL, WPXT and WMTW, transmit from the same tower site about 63 miles west of Bristol (263° W). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Bristol at fair strength or better, all arrive from the west, so this is an easy place to aim.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Bristol, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Bristol

The farthest main network tower for Bristol is WMTW (ABC), 63 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Bristol

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W14DA-DLow power	24 mi	243° WSW	Fair	Harpswell, ME
WFYW-LDLow power	27 mi	342° NNW	Poor	Fairfield/Waterville, ME
WCBBFull power	28 mi	299° WNW	Good	Augusta, ME
WPFOFull power	49 mi	268° W	Good	Waterville, ME
W19FA-DLow power	56 mi	22° NNE	Poor	Bangor, ME
W21EO-DLow power	56 mi	22° NNE	Poor	Orono, ME
W03AM-DTranslator	59 mi	280° W	Poor	Harrison, ME

How Bristol compares with the rest of Maine

With 7 stations at fair strength or better, Bristol ranks 132nd of 256 places in Maine: fewer than the typical Maine town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 49 miles away, against a state median of 28 miles.

53% of Maine's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Lewiston, 36 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Bristol: step by step

Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
Point it toward 263° W, the direction of WMTW (ABC), 63 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 7 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 Bristol, ME?

ABC is on channel 8 from WMTW, broadcasting from 63 miles W of Bristol. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Bristol, ME?

NBC is on channel 6 from WCSH, broadcasting from 60 miles W of Bristol. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Bristol, ME?

Fox is on channel 13.2 from WGME-TV, broadcasting from 49 miles W of Bristol. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Bristol, ME?

CW is on channel 51 from WPXT, broadcasting from 63 miles W of Bristol. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Bristol?

14 transmitters within 70 miles of Bristol; around 7 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Bristol?

Point your antenna W, at about 265°. The main network towers for Bristol sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Bristol?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Bristol?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Bristol?

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 Maine cities

More: all TV stations in Maine · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bristol; signal estimates ignore terrain.