TV channels & antenna towers in Rockland, Maine
Rockland has 19 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and MeTV. About 5 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WFYW-LD, 33 miles to the WNW.
Network channels in Rockland
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWABI-TVCW | 5.2 | 41 mi | 2° N | Fair | Bangor, ME |
| NBCWLBZNBC | 2 | 49 mi | 26° NNE | Poor | Bangor, ME |
| ABCWVII-TVABC | 7 | 53 mi | 30° NNE | Weak | Bangor, ME |
| FOXWFVX-LDFox | 22 | 53 mi | 30° NNE | Weak | Bangor, ME |
| MeTVWBGR-LDMeTV | 18.1 | 55 mi | 12° NNE | Poor | Bangor/Dedham, ME |
| FOXWGME-TVFox | 13.2 | 70 mi | 260° W | Fair | Portland, ME |
Over-the-air TV in Rockland
Rockland, Maine has a population of about 7,240. There are 19 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 7 full-power and 12 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 5 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 2 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Rockland, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 14 are more than 45 miles out. Four of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Bangor, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Bangor's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (WVII-TV), NBC on channel 2 (WLBZ), Fox on channel 13.2 (WGME-TV), 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 WBZ-TV in Boston, MA, 164 miles to the southwest. 3 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 Rockland
The main network towers around Rockland are in different directions: ABC 30° NNE (53 mi), NBC 26° NNE (49 mi) and Fox 260° W (70 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
WVII-TV (ABC), WLBZ (NBC) and WGME-TV (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Rockland. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Rockland
The farthest main network tower for Rockland is WGME-TV (Fox), 70 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Rockland
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WFYW-LDLow power | 33 mi | 300° WNW | Poor | Fairfield/Waterville, ME |
| W19FA-DLow power | 41 mi | 2° N | Poor | Bangor, ME |
| W21EO-DLow power | 41 mi | 2° N | Poor | Orono, ME |
| WCBBFull power | 45 mi | 275° W | Good | Augusta, ME |
| W14DA-DLow power | 46 mi | 243° WSW | Poor | Harpswell, ME |
| W36FM-DLow power | 53 mi | 30° NNE | Poor | Etna, ME |
| WMEB-TVFull power | 53 mi | 30° NNE | Good | Orono, ME |
| W20ER-DLow power | 54 mi | 17° NNE | Poor | Bangor, ME |
| W32FS-DLow power | 54 mi | 17° NNE | Poor | Bangor, ME |
| W15DS-DLow power | 55 mi | 12° NNE | Poor | Bangor, ME |
| W34EQ-DLow power | 55 mi | 12° NNE | Poor | Bangor, ME |
| WEXZ-LDLow power | 64 mi | 352° N | Poor | Bangor, ME |
| WPFOFull power | 70 mi | 260° W | Fair | Waterville, ME |
How Rockland compares with the rest of Maine
With 5 stations at fair strength or better, Rockland ranks 195th of 256 places in Maine: fewer than the typical Maine town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 41 miles away, against a state median of 28 miles.
53% of Maine's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Rockland: 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 260° W, the direction of WGME-TV (Fox), 70 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 5 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 Rockland, ME?
ABC is on channel 7 from WVII-TV, broadcasting from 53 miles NNE of Rockland. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Rockland, ME?
NBC is on channel 2 from WLBZ, broadcasting from 49 miles NNE of Rockland. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is Fox in Rockland, ME?
Fox is on channel 13.2 from WGME-TV, broadcasting from 70 miles W of Rockland. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Rockland, ME?
CW is on channel 5.2 from WABI-TV, broadcasting from 41 miles N of Rockland. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Rockland?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Rockland; around 5 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 Rockland?
The main network towers around Rockland are in different directions: ABC 30° NNE (53 mi), NBC 26° NNE (49 mi) and Fox 260° W (70 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Rockland?
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. The towers are spread over about 130° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Rockland?
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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Rockland?
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
- Owls Head3.0 mi
- South Thomaston3.7 mi
- Thomaston4.0 mi
- Vinalhaven14 mi
- Jefferson18 mi
- Belfast23 mi
- Deer Isle23 mi
- Boothbay30 mi
- Gardiner34 mi
- Richmond34 mi
- Bucksport36 mi
- Augusta36 mi
- North Bath37 mi
- Bath38 mi
- Tremont39 mi
- Winslow40 mi
- Waterville40 mi
- Brunswick45 mi
- Topsham45 mi
- Ellsworth46 mi
- Harpswell Center48 mi
- Pittsfield49 mi
- Bar Harbor49 mi
- Lisbon50 mi
More: all TV stations in Maine · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Rockland; signal estimates ignore terrain.