TV channels & antenna towers in Winthrop, Massachusetts
Winthrop has 39 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 34 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWOO-LD, 4.1 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Winthrop
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWLVICW | 56 | 13 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Cambridge, MA |
| FOXWFXTFox | 25 | 13 mi | 248° WSW | Strong | Boston, MA |
| NBCWBTS-CDNBC | 15 | 14 mi | 251° WSW | Fair | Nashua, NH |
| CBSWBZ-TVCBS | 4 | 14 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Boston, MA |
| TLMWNEUTelemundo | 60 | 14 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Merrimack, NH |
| ABCWCVB-TVABC | 5 | 14 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Boston, MA |
| IONWBPX-TVION | 68 | 26 mi | 272° W | Good | Boston, MA |
| UNIWUNIUnivision | 66 | 26 mi | 272° W | Good | Marlborough, MA |
| TLMWYCN-LDTelemundo | 8 | 28 mi | 199° SSW | Fair | Providence, RI |
| CWWNAC-TVCW | 64.2 | 38 mi | 204° SSW | Fair | Providence, RI |
| CBSWPRI-TVCBS | 12 | 38 mi | 205° SSW | Fair | Providence, RI |
| MeTVWLNE-TVMeTV | 6.5 | 39 mi | 204° SSW | Good | New Bedford, MA |
| ABCWJARABC | 10.2 | 39 mi | 204° SSW | Good | Providence, RI |
| TLMWRIW-CDTelemundo | 51 | 39 mi | 204° SSW | Fair | Providence, RI |
| ABCWMUR-TVABC | 9 | 52 mi | 324° NW | Weak | Manchester, NH |
| IONWPXG-TVION | 21 | 58 mi | 343° NNW | Fair | Concord, NH |
Over-the-air TV in Winthrop
With roughly 17,600 residents, Winthrop is a town in Massachusetts. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 39 licensed TV transmitters: 25 full-power, 4 Class A, 9 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 34 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 21 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 19 transmitters are within 25 miles, 14 between 25 and 45 miles, and 6 farther out. Five of the 16 network stations in range are licensed to Providence, RI, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Providence's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 5 (WCVB-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WBZ-TV), NBC on channel 15 (WBTS-CD), Fox on channel 25 (WFXT), CW on channel 56 (WLVI), ION on channel 68 (WBPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 60 (WNEU), Univision on channel 66 (WUNI) and MeTV on channel 6.5 (WLNE-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (good signal). 12 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 Winthrop
Point your antenna WSW, at about 250°. The main network towers for Winthrop sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, WLVI, WFXT, WBTS-CD, WBZ-TV and WNEU and others, transmit from the same tower site about 13 miles west of Winthrop (250° WSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 14 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Winthrop at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Winthrop, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Winthrop
The farthest main network tower for Winthrop is WBTS-CD (NBC), 14 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
WHDH is only 13 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 Winthrop
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WWOO-LDLow power | 4.1 mi | 254° WSW | Good | Westmoreland, NH |
| WHDT-LDLow power | 5.0 mi | 249° WSW | Fair | Boston, MA |
| WCEA-LDLow power | 5.0 mi | 249° WSW | Good | Boston, MA |
| WCRN-LDLow power | 9.5 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Boston, MA |
| WLEK-LDLow power | 11 mi | 359° N | Good | Concord, NH |
| WHDHFull power | 13 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Boston, MA |
| WFXZ-CDClass A | 13 mi | 248° WSW | Good | Boston, MA |
| WGBH-TVFull power | 13 mi | 248° WSW | Good | Boston, MA |
| WVCC-LDLow power | 13 mi | 248° WSW | Fair | Westmoreland, NH |
| W26EU-DTranslator | 13 mi | 249° WSW | Fair | Boston, MA |
| WUTF-TVFull power | 14 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Worcester, MA |
| WGBX-TVFull power | 14 mi | 251° WSW | Strong | Boston, MA |
| WSBK-TVFull power | 14 mi | 251° WSW | Good | Boston, MA |
| WWDPFull power | 25 mi | 187° S | Fair | Norwell, MA |
| WMFPFull power | 25 mi | 187° S | Fair | Foxborough, MA |
| WDPX-TVFull power | 26 mi | 272° W | Good | Woburn, MA |
| WWJE-DTFull power | 26 mi | 272° W | Good | Derry, NH |
| WMPX-LDLow power | 35 mi | 222° SW | Weak | Dennis, MA |
| WSBE-TVFull power | 39 mi | 204° SSW | Fair | Providence, RI |
| WVMA-CDClass A | 55 mi | 229° SW | Poor | Providence, RI |
| WJCB-LDLow power | 56 mi | 303° WNW | Poor | Windsor, VT |
| WENH-TVFull power | 56 mi | 348° NNW | Weak | Durham, NH |
| WYDNFull power | 58 mi | 343° NNW | Fair | Lowell, MA |
How Winthrop compares with the rest of Massachusetts
With 34 stations at fair strength or better, Winthrop ranks 65th of 390 places in Massachusetts: more than the typical Massachusetts town (29). Its nearest major network tower is 13 miles away, against a state median of 19 miles.
63% of Massachusetts's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Revere, 2.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Winthrop: step by step
- 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.
- Point it toward 251° WSW, the direction of WBTS-CD (NBC), 14 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 34 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 Winthrop, MA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WCVB-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles WSW of Winthrop. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Winthrop, MA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WBZ-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles WSW of Winthrop. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Winthrop, MA?
NBC is on channel 15 from WBTS-CD, broadcasting from 14 miles WSW of Winthrop. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Winthrop, MA?
Fox is on channel 25 from WFXT, broadcasting from 13 miles WSW of Winthrop. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Winthrop, MA?
CW is on channel 56 from WLVI, broadcasting from 13 miles WSW of Winthrop. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Winthrop?
39 transmitters within 70 miles of Winthrop; around 34 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 Winthrop?
Point your antenna WSW, at about 250°. The main network towers for Winthrop sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Winthrop?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Winthrop?
WHDH is only 13 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 Winthrop?
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 Massachusetts cities
- Revere2.7 mi
- Chelsea2.8 mi
- Boston4.1 mi
- Everett4.3 mi
- South Boston4.5 mi
- Malden5.5 mi
- Somerville6.0 mi
- Cambridge6.3 mi
- Hull6.3 mi
- Saugus6.4 mi
- Lynn6.6 mi
- Medford7.0 mi
- Melrose7.2 mi
- Swampscott7.4 mi
- Brookline7.7 mi
- Jamaica Plain8.3 mi
- Quincy8.5 mi
- Arlington9.3 mi
- Stoneham9.4 mi
- South Peabody9.5 mi
- Winchester9.5 mi
- Milton9.7 mi
- Belmont10 mi
- Wakefield10 mi
More: all TV stations in Massachusetts · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Winthrop; signal estimates ignore terrain.