TV channels & antenna towers in Charleston, Maine

Charleston has 15 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and MeTV. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WEXZ-LD, 13 miles to the WSW.

Open Charleston in the live finder

15TV transmitters within 70 miles

5networks over the air

13 mito the closest tower

1,452population

Network channels in Charleston

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
MeTVWBGR-LDMeTV	18.1	16 mi	151° SSE	Weak	Bangor/Dedham, ME
CWWABI-TVCW	5.2	26 mi	184° S	Fair	Bangor, ME
NBCWLBZNBC	2	30 mi	143° SE	Weak	Bangor, ME
ABCWVII-TVABC	7	32 mi	134° SE	Fair	Bangor, ME
FOXWFVX-LDFox	22	32 mi	134° SE	Fair	Bangor, ME

Over-the-air TV in Charleston

Charleston, Maine has a population of about 1,450. There are 15 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 4 full-power and 11 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 6 transmitters are within 25 miles, 8 between 25 and 45 miles, and 1 farther out. Four of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Bangor, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Bangor's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7 (WVII-TV), NBC on channel 2 (WLBZ), Fox on channel 22 (WFVX-LD), CW on channel 5.2 (WABI-TV) and MeTV on channel 18.1 (WBGR-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WCAX-TV in Burlington, VT, 189 miles to the west. 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Charleston

Point your antenna SE, at about 138°. The main network towers for Charleston sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Charleston

The farthest main network tower for Charleston is WVII-TV (ABC), 32 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

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 Charleston

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WEXZ-LDLow power	13 mi	250° WSW	Fair	Bangor, ME
W15DS-DLow power	16 mi	152° SSE	Weak	Bangor, ME
W34EQ-DLow power	16 mi	152° SSE	Weak	Bangor, ME
W20ER-DLow power	20 mi	142° SE	Fair	Bangor, ME
W32FS-DLow power	20 mi	142° SE	Fair	Bangor, ME
W19FA-DLow power	26 mi	184° S	Fair	Bangor, ME
W21EO-DLow power	26 mi	184° S	Poor	Orono, ME
WMEB-TVFull power	32 mi	134° SE	Good	Orono, ME
W36FM-DLow power	32 mi	134° SE	Weak	Etna, ME
WFYW-LDLow power	61 mi	212° SSW	Poor	Fairfield/Waterville, ME

How Charleston compares with the rest of Maine

With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Charleston ranks 102nd of 256 places in Maine: the same as the typical Maine town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 16 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 Bangor, 23 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Charleston: 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 134° SE, the direction of WVII-TV (ABC), 32 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 8 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 Charleston, ME?

ABC is on channel 7 from WVII-TV, broadcasting from 32 miles SE of Charleston. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Charleston, ME?

NBC is on channel 2 from WLBZ, broadcasting from 30 miles SE of Charleston. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is Fox in Charleston, ME?

Fox is on channel 22 from WFVX-LD, broadcasting from 32 miles SE of Charleston. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Charleston, ME?

CW is on channel 5.2 from WABI-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles S of Charleston. Estimated signal: fair.

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

15 transmitters within 70 miles of Charleston; around 8 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 Charleston?

Point your antenna SE, at about 138°. The main network towers for Charleston sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Charleston?

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 Charleston?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Charleston?

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 Charleston; signal estimates ignore terrain.