TV channels & antenna towers in Wheaton, Maryland
Wheaton has 45 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 35 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDDN-LD, 2.8 miles to the S.
Network channels in Wheaton
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWTTGFox | 5 | 5.9 mi | 207° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| IONWPXW-TVION | 66 | 5.9 mi | 207° SSW | Strong | Manassas, VA |
| ABCWJLA-TVABC | 7 | 6.3 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| PBSWHUT-TVPBS | 32 | 6.3 mi | 192° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| CBSWUSACBS | 9 | 6.3 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| PBSWETA-TVPBS | 26 | 6.3 mi | 192° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| MeTVWDME-CDMeTV | 48.1 | 7.0 mi | 191° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| CWWDCWCW | 50 | 7.0 mi | 192° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| NBCWRC-TVNBC | 4 | 7.0 mi | 192° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo | 44 | 7.0 mi | 192° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| UNIWFDC-DTUnivision | 14 | 7.0 mi | 192° SSW | Strong | Arlington, VA |
| CBSWJZ-TVCBS | 13 | 30 mi | 47° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| ABCWMAR-TVABC | 2 | 30 mi | 47° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| NBCWBAL-TVNBC | 11 | 30 mi | 47° NE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| CWWNUVCW | 54 | 30 mi | 47° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| FOXWBFFFox | 45 | 30 mi | 47° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| IONWWPX-TVION | 60 | 41 mi | 290° WNW | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
Over-the-air TV in Wheaton
Wheaton is a city of about 48,300 people in Maryland. There are 45 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 25 full-power, 6 Class A, 13 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 35 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 26 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 25 transmitters are within 25 miles, 10 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther 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.
For the networks, the best local options 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). 10 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 Wheaton
Point your antenna SSW, at about 195°. The main network towers for Wheaton sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
11 network stations, WTTG, WPXW-TV, WJLA-TV, WHUT-TV and WUSA and others, transmit from the same tower site about 5.9 miles southwest of Wheaton (207° SSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Wheaton at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Wheaton, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Wheaton
The farthest main network tower for Wheaton is WRC-TV (NBC), 7.0 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
WTTG is only 5.9 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 Wheaton
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 28; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDDN-LDLow power | 2.8 mi | 182° S | Good | Washington, DC |
| WDCAFull power | 5.9 mi | 207° SSW | Strong | Washington, DC |
| WJALFull power | 6.3 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Silver Spring, MD |
| WDWA-LDLow power | 6.5 mi | 354° N | Fair | Damascus, VA |
| WDCO-CDClass A | 7.0 mi | 191° SSW | Good | Woodstock, VA |
| WIAV-CDClass A | 7.0 mi | 191° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WMDO-CDClass A | 7.0 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WRZB-LDLow power | 7.0 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WWTD-LDLow power | 7.0 mi | 192° SSW | Good | Washington, DC |
| WDCN-LDLow power | 15 mi | 218° SW | Fair | Fairfax, VA |
| W10DE-DLow power | 19 mi | 100° E | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WFPTFull power | 21 mi | 318° NW | Good | Frederick, MD |
| WMPTFull power | 24 mi | 95° E | Strong | Annapolis, MD |
| WQAW-LDLow power | 24 mi | 95° E | Fair | Lake Shore, MD |
| WUTBFull power | 30 mi | 47° NE | Good | Baltimore, MD |
| WMPBFull power | 32 mi | 28° NNE | Fair | Baltimore, MD |
| WMJF-CDClass A | 35 mi | 44° NE | Fair | Towson, MD |
| WLZH-LDLow power | 42 mi | 39° NE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| W13DW-DLow power | 52 mi | 96° E | Poor | Annapolis, MD |
| WMDEFull power | 52 mi | 96° E | Poor | Dover, DE |
| WDVM-TVFull power | 52 mi | 264° W | Good | Hagerstown, MD |
| WWDD-LDLow power | 55 mi | 53° NE | Poor | Baltimore, MD |
| W14DK-DLow power | 60 mi | 117° ESE | Poor | Dagsboro, DE |
| W08EE-DTranslator | 61 mi | 299° WNW | Poor | Martinsburg, WV |
| WWPBFull power | 65 mi | 311° NW | Fair | Hagerstown, MD |
How Wheaton compares with the rest of Maryland
With 35 stations at fair strength or better, Wheaton ranks 1st of 346 places in Maryland: more than the typical Maryland town (32). Its nearest major network tower is 5.9 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 Washington, D.C., 10 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Wheaton: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 192° SSW, the direction of WRC-TV (NBC), 7.0 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 35 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 Wheaton, MD?
ABC is on channel 7 from WJLA-TV, broadcasting from 6.3 miles SSW of Wheaton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Wheaton, MD?
CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 6.3 miles SSW of Wheaton. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Wheaton, MD?
NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 7.0 miles SSW of Wheaton. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Wheaton, MD?
Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 5.9 miles SSW of Wheaton. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is PBS in Wheaton, MD?
PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 6.3 miles SSW of Wheaton. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Wheaton?
45 transmitters within 70 miles of Wheaton; around 35 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 Wheaton?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 195°. The main network towers for Wheaton sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Wheaton?
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 Wheaton?
WTTG is only 5.9 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 Wheaton?
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
- North Kensington1.1 mi
- Glenmont1.3 mi
- Forest Glen1.7 mi
- Kemp Mill1.9 mi
- South Kensington2.0 mi
- Four Corners2.6 mi
- Chevy Chase2.7 mi
- Aspen Hill2.9 mi
- White Oak3.3 mi
- North Bethesda3.4 mi
- Layhill3.7 mi
- Silver Spring3.7 mi
- Colesville3.8 mi
- Leisure World4.4 mi
- Hillandale4.5 mi
- Rossmoor4.5 mi
- Bethesda4.7 mi
- Takoma Park5.0 mi
- Adelphi5.1 mi
- Langley Park5.3 mi
- Cloverly5.6 mi
- Fairland5.8 mi
- Rockville6.1 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 Wheaton; signal estimates ignore terrain.