TV channels & antenna towers in Oakland, Maryland
Oakland has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS and CW. About 5 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WGPT, 6.1 miles to the E.
Network channels in Oakland
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWBOY-TVABC | 12.2 | 50 mi | 261° W | Weak | Clarksburg, WV |
| CWWVFXCW | 10.2 | 51 mi | 262° W | Weak | Clarksburg, WV |
| CBSWDTVCBS | 5 | 51 mi | 262° W | Good | Weston, WV |
| ABCWWCP-TVABC | 8.2 | 55 mi | 14° NNE | Weak | Johnstown, PA |
| ABCWTAE-TVABC | 4 | 64 mi | 341° NNW | Weak | Pittsburgh, PA |
Over-the-air TV in Oakland
Oakland, Maryland has a population of about 1,880. There are 26 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 8 full-power, 1 Class A, 10 low-power and 7 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 5 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.
2 of them are within 25 miles of Oakland, 8 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 16 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Clarksburg, WV, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Clarksburg's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 12.2 (WBOY-TV), CBS on channel 5 (WDTV) and CW on channel 10.2 (WVFX). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WPXI in Pittsburgh, PA, 79 miles to the northwest. No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WSVF-CD in Harrisonburg, VA, 78 miles to the southeast. 3 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 Oakland
Point your antenna W, at about 261°. The main network towers for Oakland sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WBOY-TV, WVFX and WDTV, transmit from the same tower site about 50 miles west of Oakland (261° W). That one direction covers every station on the site.
WBOY-TV (ABC) and WDTV (CBS) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Oakland. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Oakland
The farthest main network tower for Oakland is WDTV (CBS), 51 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
WGPT is only 6.1 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 Oakland
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WGPTFull power | 6.1 mi | 92° E | Strong | Oakland, MD |
| W16DT-DLow power | 18 mi | 96° E | Fair | Keyser, WV |
| WNPB-TVFull power | 27 mi | 317° NW | Good | Morgantown, WV |
| WWKH-CDClass A | 34 mi | 337° NNW | Fair | Uniontown, PA |
| W21DZ-DTranslator | 37 mi | 100° E | Weak | Romney, WV |
| W33EJ-DTranslator | 40 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W27EI-DTranslator | 40 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W29DH-DTranslator | 40 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W24ES-DTranslator | 40 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W22CV-DTranslator | 40 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W20DY-DLow power | 47 mi | 260° W | Poor | Roanoke, WV |
| W24ER-DLow power | 48 mi | 259° W | Poor | Clarksburg, WV |
| WUSV-LDLow power | 48 mi | 259° W | Poor | Fairmont, WV |
| W29FK-DLow power | 51 mi | 262° W | Poor | Pittsburgh, PA |
| W35DI-DLow power | 51 mi | 262° W | Poor | Roanoke, WV |
| W28FC-DLow power | 51 mi | 262° W | Poor | Roanoke, WV |
| W32FY-DLow power | 51 mi | 262° W | Poor | Clarksburg, WV |
| W25FS-DLow power | 51 mi | 262° W | Poor | Clarksburg, WV |
| WVUX-LDLow power | 52 mi | 261° W | Poor | Fairmont, WV |
| W33EM-DTranslator | 52 mi | 5° N | Poor | Pittsburgh, PA |
| WVPYFull power | 65 mi | 118° ESE | Weak | New Market, VA |
How Oakland compares with the rest of Maryland
With 5 stations at fair strength or better, Oakland ranks 343rd of 346 places in Maryland: fewer than the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 50 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 Morgantown, 33 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Oakland: 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 262° W, the direction of WDTV (CBS), 51 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 5 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 Oakland, MD?
ABC is on channel 12.2 from WBOY-TV, broadcasting from 50 miles W of Oakland. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Oakland, MD?
CBS is on channel 5 from WDTV, broadcasting from 51 miles W of Oakland. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Oakland, MD?
CW is on channel 10.2 from WVFX, broadcasting from 51 miles W of Oakland. Estimated signal: weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Oakland?
26 transmitters within 70 miles of Oakland; around 5 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 Oakland?
Point your antenna W, at about 261°. The main network towers for Oakland sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Oakland?
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 Oakland?
WGPT is only 6.1 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 Oakland?
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
Nearby cities in other states
- Terra Alta, WV7.9 mi
- Kingwood, WV15 mi
- Keyser, WV23 mi
- Parsons, WV26 mi
- Cheat Lake, WV30 mi
- Brookhaven, WV30 mi
- Petersburg, WV32 mi
- Grafton, WV33 mi
- Morgantown, WV33 mi
- Moorefield, WV33 mi
- Meyersdale, PA35 mi
- Romney, WV35 mi
- Uniontown, PA38 mi
- Philippi, WV38 mi
- Fairmont, WV40 mi
- Masontown, PA40 mi
- Elkins, WV41 mi
- Connellsville, PA43 mi
- Somerset, PA45 mi
- Bridgeport, WV46 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 Oakland; signal estimates ignore terrain.