TV channels & antenna towers in Capitol Heights, Maryland

Capitol Heights has 43 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 32 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDCO-CD, 9.7 miles to the WNW.

43TV transmitters within 70 miles
10networks over the air
9.7 mito the closest tower
4,574population

Network channels in Capitol Heights

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
MeTVWDME-CDMeTV48.1 9.7 mi293° WNW GoodWashington, DC
CWWDCWCW50 9.7 mi293° WNW StrongWashington, DC
NBCWRC-TVNBC4 9.7 mi293° WNW StrongWashington, DC
TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo44 9.7 mi293° WNW StrongWashington, DC
UNIWFDC-DTUnivision14 9.7 mi293° WNW StrongArlington, VA
ABCWJLA-TVABC7 9.9 mi297° WNW GoodWashington, DC
PBSWHUT-TVPBS32 9.9 mi297° WNW StrongWashington, DC
CBSWUSACBS9 9.9 mi297° WNW GoodWashington, DC
PBSWETA-TVPBS26 9.9 mi297° WNW StrongWashington, DC
FOXWTTGFox5 12 mi298° WNW StrongWashington, DC
IONWPXW-TVION66 12 mi298° WNW StrongManassas, VA
CBSWJZ-TVCBS13 34 mi25° NNE FairBaltimore, MD
ABCWMAR-TVABC2 34 mi25° NNE GoodBaltimore, MD
NBCWBAL-TVNBC11 34 mi25° NNE FairBaltimore, MD
CWWNUVCW54 34 mi25° NNE GoodBaltimore, MD
FOXWBFFFox45 34 mi25° NNE GoodBaltimore, MD
IONWWPX-TVION60 52 mi298° WNW WeakMartinsburg, WV
CWWMDTCW47.2 69 mi112° ESE WeakSalisbury, MD

Over-the-air TV in Capitol Heights

Capitol Heights is a town of about 4,570 people in Maryland. There are 43 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 24 full-power, 6 Class A and 13 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 32 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 24 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 24 transmitters are within 25 miles, 11 between 25 and 45 miles, and 8 farther out. Nine of the 18 network stations in range are licensed to Washington, DC, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Washington's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 2 (WMAR-TV), CBS on channel 9 (WUSA), NBC on channel 4 (WRC-TV), Fox on channel 5 (WTTG), PBS on channel 26 (WETA-TV), CW on channel 50 (WDCW), ION on channel 66 (WPXW-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WZDC-CD), Univision on channel 14 (WFDC-DT) and MeTV on channel 48.1 (WDME-CD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 8 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 Capitol Heights

The main network towers around Capitol Heights are in different directions: ABC 25° NNE (34 mi), CBS 297° WNW (9.9 mi), NBC 293° WNW (9.7 mi), Fox 298° WNW (12 mi) and PBS 297° WNW (9.9 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

11 network stations, WDME-CD, WDCW, WRC-TV, WZDC-CD and WFDC-DT and others, transmit from the same tower site about 9.7 miles northwest of Capitol Heights (293° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Capitol Heights at fair strength or better, 69% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Capitol Heights

The farthest main network tower for Capitol Heights is WMAR-TV (ABC), 34 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

WDCW is only 9.7 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 Capitol Heights

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WDCO-CDClass A9.7 mi 293° WNWGoodWoodstock, VA
WIAV-CDClass A9.7 mi 293° WNWGoodWashington, DC
WMDO-CDClass A9.7 mi 293° WNWGoodWashington, DC
WRZB-LDLow power9.7 mi 293° WNWGoodWashington, DC
WWTD-LDLow power9.7 mi 293° WNWGoodWashington, DC
WJALFull power9.9 mi 297° WNWGoodSilver Spring, MD
WDDN-LDLow power11 mi 316° NWFairWashington, DC
WDCAFull power12 mi 298° WNWStrongWashington, DC
W10DE-DLow power14 mi 58° ENEFairWashington, DC
WDCN-LDLow power17 mi 268° WFairFairfax, VA
WMPTFull power19 mi 62° ENEStrongAnnapolis, MD
WQAW-LDLow power19 mi 62° ENEFairLake Shore, MD
WDWA-LDLow power19 mi 335° NNWWeakDamascus, VA
WFPTFull power34 mi 321° NWFairFrederick, MD
WUTBFull power34 mi 25° NNEGoodBaltimore, MD
WMJF-CDClass A40 mi 25° NNEWeakTowson, MD
WMPBFull power40 mi 11° NFairBaltimore, MD
W13DW-DLow power45 mi 84° EPoorAnnapolis, MD
WMDEFull power45 mi 84° EWeakDover, DE
WLZH-LDLow power48 mi 24° NNEPoorBaltimore, MD
W14DK-DLow power49 mi 110° ESEPoorDagsboro, DE
WWDD-LDLow power57 mi 40° NEPoorBaltimore, MD
WDVM-TVFull power60 mi 275° WGoodHagerstown, MD
WOWZ-LDLow power69 mi 112° ESEPoorSalisbury, MD
WGDV-LDLow power69 mi 112° ESEPoorSalisbury, MD

How Capitol Heights compares with the rest of Maryland

With 32 stations at fair strength or better, Capitol Heights ranks 112th of 346 places in Maryland: the same as the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 9.7 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.

66% of Maryland's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Suitland, 2.6 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Capitol Heights: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 25° NNE, the direction of WMAR-TV (ABC), 34 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 32 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Capitol Heights, MD?

ABC is on channel 2 from WMAR-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles NNE of Capitol Heights. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Capitol Heights, MD?

CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 9.9 miles WNW of Capitol Heights. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Capitol Heights, MD?

NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 9.7 miles WNW of Capitol Heights. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Capitol Heights, MD?

Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 12 miles WNW of Capitol Heights. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is PBS in Capitol Heights, MD?

PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 9.9 miles WNW of Capitol Heights. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Capitol Heights?

43 transmitters within 70 miles of Capitol Heights; around 32 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 Capitol Heights?

The main network towers around Capitol Heights are in different directions: ABC 25° NNE (34 mi), CBS 297° WNW (9.9 mi), NBC 293° WNW (9.7 mi), Fox 298° WNW (12 mi) and PBS 297° WNW (9.9 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Capitol Heights?

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. The towers are spread over about 91° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Capitol Heights?

WDCW is only 9.7 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 Capitol Heights?

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 Maryland cities

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