TV channels & antenna towers in South Sanford, Maine
South Sanford has 15 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WMEA-TV, 3.1 miles to the W.
Network channels in South Sanford
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWIPLION | 35 | 30 mi | 358° N | Fair | Lewiston, ME |
| CWWPXTCW | 51 | 30 mi | 358° N | Good | Portland, ME |
| ABCWMTWABC | 8 | 30 mi | 358° N | Fair | Poland Spring, ME |
| NBCWCSHNBC | 6 | 31 mi | 3° N | Good | Portland, ME |
| IONWPXG-TVION | 21 | 33 mi | 242° WSW | Fair | Concord, NH |
| FOXWGME-TVFox | 13.2 | 38 mi | 19° NNE | Good | Portland, ME |
| ABCWMUR-TVABC | 9 | 52 mi | 236° SW | Weak | Manchester, NH |
Over-the-air TV in South Sanford
South Sanford is a town of about 4,540 people in Maine. There are 15 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 12 full-power, 2 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 9 between 25 and 45 miles, and 5 farther 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.
The strongest network signals here 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 21 (WPXG-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WBZ-TV in Boston, MA, 80 miles to the south. 5 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 South Sanford
Point your antenna N, at about 7°. The main network towers for South Sanford 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 30 miles north of South Sanford (358° N). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach South Sanford at fair strength or better, 83% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from South Sanford, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for South Sanford
The farthest main network tower for South Sanford is WGME-TV (Fox), 38 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
WMEA-TV is only 3.1 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 South Sanford
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMEA-TVFull power | 3.1 mi | 277° W | Strong | Biddeford, ME |
| WENH-TVFull power | 28 mi | 235° SW | Fair | Durham, NH |
| WYDNFull power | 33 mi | 242° WSW | Fair | Lowell, MA |
| WPFOFull power | 38 mi | 19° NNE | Good | Waterville, ME |
| W03AM-DTranslator | 48 mi | 4° N | Poor | Harrison, ME |
| W14DA-DLow power | 48 mi | 56° NE | Poor | Harpswell, ME |
| WLEK-LDLow power | 62 mi | 192° SSW | Poor | Concord, NH |
| WCBBFull power | 63 mi | 35° NE | Fair | Augusta, ME |
How South Sanford compares with the rest of Maine
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, South Sanford ranks 36th of 256 places in Maine: more than the typical Maine town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 30 miles away, against a state median of 28 miles.
41% of Maine's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Sanford, 2.5 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in South Sanford: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 19° NNE, the direction of WGME-TV (Fox), 38 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 11 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 South Sanford, ME?
ABC is on channel 8 from WMTW, broadcasting from 30 miles N of South Sanford. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in South Sanford, ME?
NBC is on channel 6 from WCSH, broadcasting from 31 miles N of South Sanford. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in South Sanford, ME?
Fox is on channel 13.2 from WGME-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles NNE of South Sanford. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in South Sanford, ME?
CW is on channel 51 from WPXT, broadcasting from 30 miles N of South Sanford. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in South Sanford?
15 transmitters within 70 miles of South Sanford; around 11 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 South Sanford?
Point your antenna N, at about 7°. The main network towers for South Sanford sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in South Sanford?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in South Sanford?
WMEA-TV is only 3.1 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 South Sanford?
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
- Sanford2.5 mi
- Lebanon5.6 mi
- Waterboro8.7 mi
- Wells Beach Station9.7 mi
- Kennebunk10 mi
- South Berwick13 mi
- Biddeford16 mi
- Saco16 mi
- York Beach18 mi
- Eliot18 mi
- Buxton19 mi
- Old Orchard Beach20 mi
- West Scarborough21 mi
- Limington22 mi
- Gorham24 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Somersworth, NH12 mi
- Rochester, NH14 mi
- Dover, NH16 mi
- Wakefield, NH18 mi
- Barrington, NH20 mi
- Durham, NH21 mi
- Portsmouth, NH23 mi
- Newmarket, NH25 mi
- Stratham Station, NH26 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 South Sanford; signal estimates ignore terrain.