TV channels & antenna towers in Chillum, Maryland
Chillum 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 WDDN-LD, 4.3 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Chillum
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWJLA-TVABC | 7 | 4.9 mi | 259° W | Strong | Washington, DC |
| PBSWHUT-TVPBS | 32 | 4.9 mi | 259° W | Strong | Washington, DC |
| CBSWUSACBS | 9 | 4.9 mi | 259° W | Strong | Washington, DC |
| PBSWETA-TVPBS | 26 | 4.9 mi | 259° W | Strong | Washington, DC |
| MeTVWDME-CDMeTV | 48.1 | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| CWWDCWCW | 50 | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| NBCWRC-TVNBC | 4 | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo | 44 | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| UNIWFDC-DTUnivision | 14 | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Arlington, VA |
| FOXWTTGFox | 5 | 6.1 mi | 270° W | Strong | Washington, DC |
| IONWPXW-TVION | 66 | 6.1 mi | 270° W | Strong | Manassas, VA |
| CBSWJZ-TVCBS | 13 | 31 mi | 35° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| ABCWMAR-TVABC | 2 | 31 mi | 35° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| NBCWBAL-TVNBC | 11 | 31 mi | 35° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| CWWNUVCW | 54 | 32 mi | 35° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| FOXWBFFFox | 45 | 32 mi | 35° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| IONWWPX-TVION | 60 | 46 mi | 295° WNW | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
Over-the-air TV in Chillum
Chillum, Maryland has a population of about 33,500. There are 43 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 23 full-power, 6 Class A, 13 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 32 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 26 at good or strong strength.
24 of them are within 25 miles of Chillum, 10 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Nine of the 17 network stations in range are licensed to Washington, DC, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Washington's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (WJLA-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 Chillum
Point your antenna W, at about 260°. The main network towers for Chillum sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
11 network stations, WJLA-TV, WHUT-TV, WUSA, WETA-TV and WDME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 4.9 miles west of Chillum (259° W). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Chillum at fair strength or better, 69% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Chillum, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Chillum
The farthest main network tower for Chillum is WTTG (Fox), 6.1 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
WJLA-TV is only 4.9 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 Chillum
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 26; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDDN-LDLow power | 4.3 mi | 305° NW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WJALFull power | 4.9 mi | 259° W | Strong | Silver Spring, MD |
| WDCO-CDClass A | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Good | Woodstock, VA |
| WIAV-CDClass A | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WMDO-CDClass A | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WRZB-LDLow power | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WWTD-LDLow power | 5.1 mi | 251° WSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WDCAFull power | 6.1 mi | 270° W | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WDWA-LDLow power | 12 mi | 341° NNW | Weak | Damascus, VA |
| WDCN-LDLow power | 14 mi | 244° WSW | Fair | Fairfax, VA |
| W10DE-DLow power | 16 mi | 83° E | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WMPTFull power | 21 mi | 81° E | Strong | Annapolis, MD |
| WQAW-LDLow power | 21 mi | 81° E | Fair | Lake Shore, MD |
| WFPTFull power | 27 mi | 320° NW | Good | Frederick, MD |
| WUTBFull power | 32 mi | 35° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| WMPBFull power | 35 mi | 19° NNE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| WMJF-CDClass A | 37 mi | 34° NE | Weak | Towson, MD |
| WLZH-LDLow power | 45 mi | 31° NNE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| W13DW-DLow power | 48 mi | 90° E | Poor | Annapolis, MD |
| WMDEFull power | 48 mi | 90° E | Poor | Dover, DE |
| W14DK-DLow power | 55 mi | 114° ESE | Poor | Dagsboro, DE |
| WWDD-LDLow power | 55 mi | 46° NE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| WDVM-TVFull power | 56 mi | 270° W | Good | Hagerstown, MD |
| W08EE-DTranslator | 67 mi | 301° WNW | Poor | Martinsburg, WV |
| WLZH-LDLow power | 69 mi | 18° NNE | Poor | Harrisburg/Lancaster, PA |
How Chillum compares with the rest of Maryland
With 32 stations at fair strength or better, Chillum ranks 112th of 346 places in Maryland: the same as the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 4.9 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.
22% of Maryland's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Silver Spring, 2.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Chillum: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 270° W, the direction of WTTG (Fox), 6.1 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 Chillum, MD?
ABC is on channel 7 from WJLA-TV, broadcasting from 4.9 miles W of Chillum. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Chillum, MD?
CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 4.9 miles W of Chillum. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Chillum, MD?
NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 5.1 miles WSW of Chillum. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Chillum, MD?
Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 6.1 miles W of Chillum. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is PBS in Chillum, MD?
PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 4.9 miles W of Chillum. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Chillum?
43 transmitters within 70 miles of Chillum; around 32 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Chillum?
Point your antenna W, at about 260°. The main network towers for Chillum sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Chillum?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Chillum?
WJLA-TV is only 4.9 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 Chillum?
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
- Takoma Park1.3 mi
- Langley Park1.8 mi
- Mount Rainier2.1 mi
- Hyattsville2.5 mi
- Silver Spring2.7 mi
- Adelphi2.9 mi
- College Park3.1 mi
- Riverdale Park3.2 mi
- Bladensburg3.5 mi
- East Riverdale3.7 mi
- Four Corners4.1 mi
- Hillandale4.4 mi
- Cheverly4.7 mi
- Forest Glen4.9 mi
- Chevy Chase5.1 mi
- White Oak5.3 mi
- Kemp Mill5.4 mi
- Woodlawn5.4 mi
- Landover5.5 mi
- New Carrollton6.0 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Maryland · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Chillum; signal estimates ignore terrain.