TV channels & antenna towers in Lancaster, New Hampshire
Lancaster has 18 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WLED-TV, 13 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Lancaster
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWIPLION | 35 | 60 mi | 138° SE | Weak | Lewiston, ME |
| CWWPXTCW | 51 | 60 mi | 138° SE | Good | Portland, ME |
| ABCWMTWABC | 8 | 60 mi | 138° SE | Fair | Poland Spring, ME |
| NBCWCSHNBC | 6 | 61 mi | 135° SE | Good | Portland, ME |
| FOXWFFF-TVFox | 44 | 61 mi | 273° W | Fair | Burlington, VT |
| ABCWVNYABC | 22 | 61 mi | 273° W | Weak | Burlington, VT |
| CBSWCAX-TVCBS | 3 | 61 mi | 273° W | Good | Burlington, VT |
| NBCWPTZNBC | 5 | 61 mi | 273° W | Good | Plattsburgh, NY |
| CWWNNECW | 31 | 61 mi | 273° W | Good | Montpelier, VT |
| FOXWGME-TVFox | 13.2 | 66 mi | 126° SE | Good | Portland, ME |
Over-the-air TV in Lancaster
With roughly 1,730 residents, Lancaster is a small community in New Hampshire. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 18 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 1 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 14 farther out. Three of the 10 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 best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 8 (WMTW), CBS on channel 3 (WCAX-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WCSH), Fox on channel 13.2 (WGME-TV), CW on channel 31 (WNNE) and ION on channel 35 (WIPL). 4 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 Lancaster
The main network towers around Lancaster are in different directions: ABC 138° SE (60 mi), CBS 273° W (61 mi), NBC 135° SE (61 mi) and Fox 126° SE (66 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Five network stations, WFFF-TV, WVNY, WCAX-TV, WPTZ and WNNE, transmit from the same tower site about 61 miles west of Lancaster (273° W). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lancaster at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
WGME-TV (Fox) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Lancaster. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Lancaster
The farthest main network tower for Lancaster is WGME-TV (Fox), 66 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.
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 Lancaster
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLED-TVFull power | 13 mi | 222° SW | Good | Littleton, NH |
| WVTBFull power | 17 mi | 290° WNW | Good | St. Johnsbury, VT |
| W34DQ-DTranslator | 34 mi | 19° NNE | Weak | Pittsburgh, NH |
| W04BS-DTranslator | 39 mi | 96° E | Poor | Bethel, ME |
| W03AM-DTranslator | 52 mi | 121° ESE | Poor | Harrison, ME |
| W36FE-DLow power | 61 mi | 209° SSW | Poor | Hanover, NH |
| WETKFull power | 61 mi | 273° W | Fair | Burlington, VT |
| WPFOFull power | 66 mi | 126° SE | Good | Waterville, ME |
How Lancaster compares with the rest of New Hampshire
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Lancaster ranks 111th of 178 places in New Hampshire: fewer than the typical New Hampshire town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 60 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.
Setting up an antenna in Lancaster: 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 126° SE, 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 12 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 Lancaster, NH?
ABC is on channel 8 from WMTW, broadcasting from 60 miles SE of Lancaster. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Lancaster, NH?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCAX-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles W of Lancaster. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Lancaster, NH?
NBC is on channel 6 from WCSH, broadcasting from 61 miles SE of Lancaster. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Lancaster, NH?
Fox is on channel 13.2 from WGME-TV, broadcasting from 66 miles SE of Lancaster. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Lancaster, NH?
CW is on channel 31 from WNNE, broadcasting from 61 miles W of Lancaster. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Lancaster?
18 transmitters within 70 miles of Lancaster; around 12 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 Lancaster?
The main network towers around Lancaster are in different directions: ABC 138° SE (60 mi), CBS 273° W (61 mi), NBC 135° SE (61 mi) and Fox 126° SE (66 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Lancaster?
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. The towers are spread over about 147° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Lancaster?
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 Lancaster?
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
- Northumberland5.2 mi
- Jefferson6.7 mi
- Groveton8.1 mi
- Whitefield8.3 mi
- Stratford11 mi
- Littleton16 mi
- Deerfield18 mi
- Berlin19 mi
- Milan20 mi
- Gorham21 mi
- Colebrook28 mi
- North Conway37 mi
- Haverhill40 mi
- Thornton42 mi
- Tamworth46 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Guildhall, VT5.3 mi
- Lunenburg, VT5.8 mi
- Lyndonville, VT22 mi
- Lyndon, VT22 mi
- St Johnsbury, VT22 mi
- Saint Johnsbury, VT23 mi
- Bethel, ME39 mi
- Hardwick, VT39 mi
- Newport, VT44 mi
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 Lancaster; signal estimates ignore terrain.