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.
Network channels in Capitol Heights
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVWDME-CDMeTV | 48.1 | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Good | Washington, DC |
| CWWDCWCW | 50 | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| NBCWRC-TVNBC | 4 | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo | 44 | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| UNIWFDC-DTUnivision | 14 | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Strong | Arlington, VA |
| ABCWJLA-TVABC | 7 | 9.9 mi | 297° WNW | Good | Washington, DC |
| PBSWHUT-TVPBS | 32 | 9.9 mi | 297° WNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| CBSWUSACBS | 9 | 9.9 mi | 297° WNW | Good | Washington, DC |
| PBSWETA-TVPBS | 26 | 9.9 mi | 297° WNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| FOXWTTGFox | 5 | 12 mi | 298° WNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| IONWPXW-TVION | 66 | 12 mi | 298° WNW | Strong | Manassas, VA |
| CBSWJZ-TVCBS | 13 | 34 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| ABCWMAR-TVABC | 2 | 34 mi | 25° NNE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| NBCWBAL-TVNBC | 11 | 34 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| CWWNUVCW | 54 | 34 mi | 25° NNE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| FOXWBFFFox | 45 | 34 mi | 25° NNE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| IONWWPX-TVION | 60 | 52 mi | 298° WNW | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
| CWWMDTCW | 47.2 | 69 mi | 112° ESE | Weak | Salisbury, 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.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDCO-CDClass A | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Good | Woodstock, VA |
| WIAV-CDClass A | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WMDO-CDClass A | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WRZB-LDLow power | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WWTD-LDLow power | 9.7 mi | 293° WNW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WJALFull power | 9.9 mi | 297° WNW | Good | Silver Spring, MD |
| WDDN-LDLow power | 11 mi | 316° NW | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WDCAFull power | 12 mi | 298° WNW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| W10DE-DLow power | 14 mi | 58° ENE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WDCN-LDLow power | 17 mi | 268° W | Fair | Fairfax, VA |
| WMPTFull power | 19 mi | 62° ENE | Strong | Annapolis, MD |
| WQAW-LDLow power | 19 mi | 62° ENE | Fair | Lake Shore, MD |
| WDWA-LDLow power | 19 mi | 335° NNW | Weak | Damascus, VA |
| WFPTFull power | 34 mi | 321° NW | Fair | Frederick, MD |
| WUTBFull power | 34 mi | 25° NNE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| WMJF-CDClass A | 40 mi | 25° NNE | Weak | Towson, MD |
| WMPBFull power | 40 mi | 11° N | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| W13DW-DLow power | 45 mi | 84° E | Poor | Annapolis, MD |
| WMDEFull power | 45 mi | 84° E | Weak | Dover, DE |
| WLZH-LDLow power | 48 mi | 24° NNE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| W14DK-DLow power | 49 mi | 110° ESE | Poor | Dagsboro, DE |
| WWDD-LDLow power | 57 mi | 40° NE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| WDVM-TVFull power | 60 mi | 275° W | Good | Hagerstown, MD |
| WOWZ-LDLow power | 69 mi | 112° ESE | Poor | Salisbury, MD |
| WGDV-LDLow power | 69 mi | 112° ESE | Poor | Salisbury, 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
- 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 25° NNE, the direction of WMAR-TV (ABC), 34 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 32 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 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
- Coral Hills1.1 mi
- Walker Mill1.6 mi
- District Heights2.4 mi
- Suitland2.6 mi
- Suitland-Silver Hill2.7 mi
- Summerfield2.9 mi
- Cheverly3.0 mi
- Silver Hill3.4 mi
- Forestville3.5 mi
- Landover3.5 mi
- Bladensburg3.9 mi
- Marlow Heights4.1 mi
- Glenarden4.2 mi
- Hillcrest Heights4.3 mi
- Woodlawn4.6 mi
- Largo4.7 mi
- Mount Rainier4.7 mi
- Lake Arbor4.9 mi
- Hyattsville5.1 mi
- Temple Hills5.2 mi
- East Riverdale5.3 mi
- Kettering5.4 mi
- Riverdale Park5.5 mi
- Camp Springs5.6 mi
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.