TV channels & antenna towers in Hancock, Maryland
Hancock has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, CW and ION. About 6 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWPB, 12 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in Hancock
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWWPX-TVION | 60 | 39 mi | 145° SE | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
| ABCWWCP-TVABC | 8.2 | 61 mi | 303° WNW | Weak | Johnstown, PA |
| CBSWTAJ-TVCBS | 10 | 62 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Altoona, PA |
| IONWKBS-TVION | 47.4 | 62 mi | 347° NNW | Poor | Altoona, PA |
| ABCWATM-TVABC | 23 | 62 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Altoona, PA |
| CWWJAC-TVCW | 6.4 | 63 mi | 318° NW | Fair | Johnstown, PA |
Over-the-air TV in Hancock
Hancock, Maryland has a population of about 1,550. There are 25 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 1 Class A, 4 low-power and 9 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 6 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 2 at good or strong strength.
2 of them are within 25 miles of Hancock, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 18 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Altoona, PA, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Altoona's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 23 (WATM-TV), CBS on channel 10 (WTAJ-TV), CW on channel 6.4 (WJAC-TV) and ION on channel 60 (WWPX-TV). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WRC-TV in Washington, DC, 79 miles to the southeast. No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WTTG in Washington, DC, 77 miles to the southeast. 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 Hancock
Point your antenna NNW, at about 347°. The main network towers for Hancock sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WTAJ-TV, WKBS-TV and WATM-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 62 miles north of Hancock (347° NNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Hancock at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.
WATM-TV (ABC) and WTAJ-TV (CBS) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Hancock. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Hancock
The farthest main network tower for Hancock is WATM-TV (ABC), 62 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
WWPB is only 12 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 Hancock
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WWPBFull power | 12 mi | 106° ESE | Strong | Hagerstown, MD |
| W08EE-DTranslator | 18 mi | 159° SSE | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
| W25FE-DLow power | 33 mi | 43° NE | Poor | Chambersburg, PA |
| WCZS-LDLow power | 33 mi | 43° NE | Weak | Chambersburg, PA |
| W20EU-DTranslator | 33 mi | 43° NE | Weak | Chambersburg, PA |
| W21DZ-DTranslator | 39 mi | 228° SW | Poor | Romney, WV |
| WVPYFull power | 52 mi | 189° S | Fair | New Market, VA |
| WDVM-TVFull power | 52 mi | 171° S | Good | Hagerstown, MD |
| W16DT-DLow power | 53 mi | 246° WSW | Poor | Keyser, WV |
| WFPTFull power | 55 mi | 123° ESE | Poor | Frederick, MD |
| WGPTFull power | 63 mi | 251° WSW | Weak | Oakland, MD |
| W33EJ-DTranslator | 63 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W27EI-DTranslator | 63 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W29DH-DTranslator | 63 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W24ES-DTranslator | 63 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W22CV-DTranslator | 63 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| WTOO-CDClass A | 63 mi | 318° NW | Poor | Johnstown, PA |
| WRZH-LDLow power | 66 mi | 63° ENE | Poor | Lancaster, PA |
| W33EM-DTranslator | 68 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Pittsburgh, PA |
How Hancock compares with the rest of Maryland
With 6 stations at fair strength or better, Hancock ranks 342nd of 346 places in Maryland: fewer than the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 39 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.
12% of Maryland's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Hagerstown, 25 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Hancock: step by step
- Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
- Point it toward 347° NNW, the direction of WATM-TV (ABC), 62 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 6 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 Hancock, MD?
ABC is on channel 23 from WATM-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles NNW of Hancock. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Hancock, MD?
CBS is on channel 10 from WTAJ-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles NNW of Hancock. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Hancock, MD?
CW is on channel 6.4 from WJAC-TV, broadcasting from 63 miles NW of Hancock. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Hancock?
25 transmitters within 70 miles of Hancock; around 6 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Hancock?
Point your antenna NNW, at about 347°. The main network towers for Hancock sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Hancock?
Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Hancock?
WWPB is only 12 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 Hancock?
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
- Halfway23 mi
- Fountainhead-Orchard Hills25 mi
- Hagerstown25 mi
- Robinwood28 mi
- Cumberland31 mi
- Brunswick40 mi
- Frostburg40 mi
- Thurmont41 mi
- Frederick45 mi
- Ballenger Creek46 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Mercersburg, PA17 mi
- Martinsburg, WV20 mi
- Bedford, PA28 mi
- Chambersburg, PA32 mi
- Waynesboro, PA32 mi
- Charles Town, WV33 mi
- Winchester, VA35 mi
- Shawnee Land, VA36 mi
- Berryville, VA39 mi
- Romney, WV39 mi
- Shippensburg, PA43 mi
- Meyersdale, PA46 mi
- Keyser, WV46 mi
- Purcellville, VA46 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 Hancock; signal estimates ignore terrain.