TV channels & antenna towers in Fairwood, Maryland

Fairwood has 49 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 33 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W10DE-D, 4.7 miles to the ENE.

49TV transmitters within 70 miles
10networks over the air
4.7 mito the closest tower
5,031population

Network channels in Fairwood

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
ABCWJLA-TVABC7 16 mi269° W GoodWashington, DC
PBSWHUT-TVPBS32 16 mi269° W StrongWashington, DC
CBSWUSACBS9 16 mi269° W GoodWashington, DC
PBSWETA-TVPBS26 16 mi269° W StrongWashington, DC
MeTVWDME-CDMeTV48.1 16 mi266° W FairWashington, DC
CWWDCWCW50 16 mi266° W StrongWashington, DC
NBCWRC-TVNBC4 16 mi266° W StrongWashington, DC
TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo44 16 mi266° W StrongWashington, DC
UNIWFDC-DTUnivision14 16 mi266° W StrongArlington, VA
FOXWTTGFox5 18 mi272° W StrongWashington, DC
IONWPXW-TVION66 18 mi272° W StrongManassas, VA
CBSWJZ-TVCBS13 27 mi15° NNE FairBaltimore, MD
ABCWMAR-TVABC2 27 mi15° NNE GoodBaltimore, MD
NBCWBAL-TVNBC11 27 mi15° NNE FairBaltimore, MD
CWWNUVCW54 27 mi15° NNE GoodBaltimore, MD
FOXWBFFFox45 27 mi15° NNE GoodBaltimore, MD
IONWWPX-TVION60 57 mi290° WNW WeakMartinsburg, WV
CWWMDTCW47.2 64 mi119° ESE WeakSalisbury, MD
PBSWDPBPBS64 66 mi108° ESE PoorSeaford, DE
FOXWBOC-TVFox21.2 69 mi117° ESE WeakSalisbury, MD
NBCWRDE-LDNBC31 69 mi117° ESE PoorSalisbury, MD
FOXWBOC-LDFox21.2 69 mi117° ESE PoorCambridge, MD

Over-the-air TV in Fairwood

Fairwood, Maryland has a population of about 5,030. Our map shows 49 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 26 full-power, 6 Class A and 17 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 33 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 19 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 24 transmitters are within 25 miles, 13 between 25 and 45 miles, and 12 farther out. Nine of the 22 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 Fairwood

The main network towers around Fairwood are in different directions: ABC 15° NNE (27 mi), CBS 269° W (16 mi), NBC 266° W (16 mi), Fox 272° W (18 mi) and PBS 269° W (16 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

11 network stations, WJLA-TV, WHUT-TV, WUSA, WETA-TV and WDME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 16 miles west of Fairwood (269° W). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Fairwood 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 Fairwood, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Fairwood

The farthest main network tower for Fairwood is WMAR-TV (ABC), 27 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.

WMPT is only 9.8 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 Fairwood

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 27; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
W10DE-DLow power4.7 mi 60° ENEGoodWashington, DC
WMPTFull power9.8 mi 68° ENEStrongAnnapolis, MD
WQAW-LDLow power9.8 mi 68° ENEFairLake Shore, MD
WDDN-LDLow power15 mi 281° WNWFairWashington, DC
WJALFull power16 mi 269° WGoodSilver Spring, MD
WDCO-CDClass A16 mi 266° WFairWoodstock, VA
WIAV-CDClass A16 mi 266° WGoodWashington, DC
WMDO-CDClass A16 mi 266° WFairWashington, DC
WRZB-LDLow power16 mi 266° WFairWashington, DC
WWTD-LDLow power16 mi 266° WFairWashington, DC
WDCAFull power18 mi 272° WStrongWashington, DC
WDWA-LDLow power20 mi 308° NWWeakDamascus, VA
WDCN-LDLow power25 mi 257° WSWWeakFairfax, VA
WUTBFull power27 mi 15° NNEGoodBaltimore, MD
WMJF-CDClass A32 mi 17° NNEFairTowson, MD
WMPBFull power34 mi 360° NFairBaltimore, MD
WFPTFull power36 mi 306° NWFairFrederick, MD
W13DW-DLow power37 mi 90° EPoorAnnapolis, MD
WMDEFull power37 mi 90° EFairDover, DE
WLZH-LDLow power40 mi 17° NNEPoorBaltimore, MD
W14DK-DLow power44 mi 119° ESEPoorDagsboro, DE
WWDD-LDLow power48 mi 37° NEPoorBaltimore, MD
WOWZ-LDLow power64 mi 119° ESEPoorSalisbury, MD
WGDV-LDLow power64 mi 119° ESEPoorSalisbury, MD
WLZH-LDLow power66 mi 9° NPoorHarrisburg/Lancaster, PA

How Fairwood compares with the rest of Maryland

With 33 stations at fair strength or better, Fairwood ranks 50th of 346 places in Maryland: more than the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 16 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 Bowie, 2.7 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Fairwood: 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 15° NNE, the direction of WMAR-TV (ABC), 27 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 33 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 Fairwood, MD?

ABC is on channel 2 from WMAR-TV, broadcasting from 27 miles NNE of Fairwood. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Fairwood, MD?

CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 16 miles W of Fairwood. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Fairwood, MD?

NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles W of Fairwood. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Fairwood, MD?

Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 18 miles W of Fairwood. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is PBS in Fairwood, MD?

PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles W of Fairwood. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Fairwood?

49 transmitters within 70 miles of Fairwood; around 33 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 Fairwood?

The main network towers around Fairwood are in different directions: ABC 15° NNE (27 mi), CBS 269° W (16 mi), NBC 266° W (16 mi), Fox 272° W (18 mi) and PBS 269° W (16 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Fairwood?

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 109° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Fairwood?

WMPT is only 9.8 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 Fairwood?

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 Fairwood; signal estimates ignore terrain.