TV channels & antenna towers in Bristol, New Hampshire
Bristol has 19 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W36FE-D, 22 miles to the WNW.
Network channels in Bristol
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWPXG-TVION | 21 | 35 mi | 143° SE | Fair | Concord, NH |
| ABCWMUR-TVABC | 9 | 43 mi | 170° S | Weak | Manchester, NH |
| IONWIPLION | 35 | 52 mi | 70° ENE | Fair | Lewiston, ME |
| CWWPXTCW | 51 | 52 mi | 70° ENE | Good | Portland, ME |
| ABCWMTWABC | 8 | 52 mi | 70° ENE | Fair | Poland Spring, ME |
| NBCWCSHNBC | 6 | 54 mi | 70° ENE | Good | Portland, ME |
| FOXWGME-TVFox | 13.2 | 66 mi | 69° ENE | Good | Portland, ME |
Over-the-air TV in Bristol
With roughly 1,690 residents, Bristol is a small community in New Hampshire. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 19 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 3 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 13 farther out. Three of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Portland, ME, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Portland's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 8 (WMTW), NBC on channel 6 (WCSH), Fox on channel 13.2 (WGME-TV), CW on channel 51 (WPXT) and ION on channel 21 (WPXG-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WCAX-TV in Burlington, VT, 84 miles to the northwest. 7 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 Bristol
Point your antenna ENE, at about 70°. The main network towers for Bristol sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WIPL, WPXT and WMTW, transmit from the same tower site about 52 miles east of Bristol (70° ENE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Bristol at fair strength or better, 83% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.
WGME-TV (Fox) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Bristol. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Bristol
The farthest main network tower for Bristol is WGME-TV (Fox), 66 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Bristol
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W36FE-DLow power | 22 mi | 291° WNW | Fair | Hanover, NH |
| WYCU-LDLow power | 31 mi | 245° WSW | Weak | Charlestown, Etc., NH |
| WYDNFull power | 35 mi | 143° SE | Fair | Lowell, MA |
| WENH-TVFull power | 39 mi | 137° SE | Fair | Durham, NH |
| WMEA-TVFull power | 48 mi | 104° ESE | Fair | Biddeford, ME |
| WEKW-TVFull power | 50 mi | 220° SW | Fair | Keene, NH |
| WLED-TVFull power | 53 mi | 360° N | Fair | Littleton, NH |
| WJCB-LDLow power | 55 mi | 190° S | Poor | Windsor, VT |
| W03AM-DTranslator | 64 mi | 56° NE | Poor | Harrison, ME |
| W23EU-DTranslator | 64 mi | 269° W | Poor | Rutland, VT |
| WPFOFull power | 66 mi | 69° ENE | Good | Waterville, ME |
| WVTBFull power | 68 mi | 354° N | Fair | St. Johnsbury, VT |
How Bristol compares with the rest of New Hampshire
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Bristol ranks 95th of 178 places in New Hampshire: fewer than the typical New Hampshire town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 35 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.
69% of New Hampshire's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is East Concord, 26 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Bristol: 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 69° ENE, the direction of WGME-TV (Fox), 66 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 14 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 Bristol, NH?
ABC is on channel 8 from WMTW, broadcasting from 52 miles ENE of Bristol. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Bristol, NH?
NBC is on channel 6 from WCSH, broadcasting from 54 miles ENE of Bristol. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Bristol, NH?
Fox is on channel 13.2 from WGME-TV, broadcasting from 66 miles ENE of Bristol. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Bristol, NH?
CW is on channel 51 from WPXT, broadcasting from 52 miles ENE of Bristol. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Bristol?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Bristol; around 14 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 Bristol?
Point your antenna ENE, at about 70°. The main network towers for Bristol sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Bristol?
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 Bristol?
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Bristol?
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 New Hampshire cities
- Franklin11 mi
- Plymouth12 mi
- Northfield13 mi
- Laconia14 mi
- Gilford17 mi
- Moultonborough20 mi
- Thornton21 mi
- Lyme26 mi
- Lebanon26 mi
- East Concord26 mi
- Hopkinton28 mi
- Concord28 mi
- Hanover29 mi
- Tamworth30 mi
- Pembroke34 mi
- Claremont34 mi
- Weare34 mi
- Bow Bog34 mi
- Haverhill35 mi
- Suncook35 mi
- Wakefield35 mi
- South Hooksett42 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in New Hampshire · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bristol; signal estimates ignore terrain.