TV channels & antenna towers in Black River, New York
Black River has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox and CW. About 6 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WVNC-LD (NBC), 3.1 miles to the S.
Network channels in Black River
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWVNC-LDNBC | 45 | 3.1 mi | 191° S | Strong | Watertown, NY |
| FOXWWNY-TVFox | 7.2 | 5.2 mi | 141° SE | Strong | Carthage, NY |
| FOXWNYF-CDFox | 28 | 5.2 mi | 141° SE | Good | Watertown, NY |
| CWWWTICW | 50.2 | 9.9 mi | 158° SSE | Good | Watertown, NY |
| FOXWWNY-CDFox | 7.2 | 57 mi | 54° NE | Poor | Massena, NY |
| ABCWUTRABC | 20 | 67 mi | 152° SSE | Poor | Utica, NY |
| CWWFXVCW | 33.2 | 67 mi | 152° SSE | Weak | Utica, NY |
Over-the-air TV in Black River
Black River, New York has a population of about 1,330. There are 26 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 6 full-power, 8 Class A, 10 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 6 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
5 of them are within 25 miles of Black River, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 20 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Watertown, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Watertown's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 20 (WUTR), NBC on channel 45 (WVNC-LD), Fox on channel 7.2 (WWNY-TV) and CW on channel 50.2 (WWTI). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WKOF in Syracuse, NY, 76 miles to the south. 2 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 Black River
Point your antenna SSE, at about 147°. The main network towers for Black River sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, WWNY-TV and WNYF-CD, transmit from the same tower site about 5.2 miles southeast of Black River (141° SE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Black River at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
WUTR (ABC) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Black River. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Black River
The farthest main network tower for Black River is WUTR (ABC), 67 miles away with a very weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
WVNC-LD is only 3.1 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 Black River
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPBS-DTFull power | 11 mi | 162° SSE | Good | Watertown, NY |
| WTKJ-LDLow power | 28 mi | 285° WNW | Fair | Watertown, NY |
| WNGJ-LDLow power | 47 mi | 21° NNE | Poor | Ogdensburg, NY |
| WVNG-LDLow power | 50 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Canton, NY |
| WNPI-DTFull power | 57 mi | 54° NE | Weak | Norwood, NY |
| W26EP-DLow power | 58 mi | 41° NE | Poor | Potsdam, NY |
| WTKO-CDClass A | 66 mi | 174° S | Poor | Oneida, NY |
| W25AT-DTranslator | 66 mi | 81° E | Poor | Tupper Lake, NY |
| WWDG-CDClass A | 67 mi | 153° SSE | Poor | Utica, NY |
| WPNY-LDLow power | 67 mi | 152° SSE | Poor | Utica, Etc., NY |
| W22DO-DTranslator | 67 mi | 153° SSE | Poor | Utica, NY |
| WTVU-CDClass A | 69 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, NY |
| WHSU-CDClass A | 69 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, NY |
| WMJQ-CDClass A | 69 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, NY |
| WONO-CDClass A | 69 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, Etc., NY |
| WVOA-LDLow power | 69 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, NY |
| WWLF-LDLow power | 69 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, NY |
| WBLZ-LDLow power | 69 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, NY |
| W16EA-DLow power | 69 mi | 195° SSW | Poor | Syracuse, NY |
How Black River compares with the rest of New York
With 6 stations at fair strength or better, Black River ranks 987th of 1,012 places in New York: fewer than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 3.1 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.
24% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Watertown, 6.3 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Black River: 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 152° SSE, the direction of WUTR (ABC), 67 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 6 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 Black River, NY?
ABC is on channel 20 from WUTR, broadcasting from 67 miles SSE of Black River. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is NBC in Black River, NY?
NBC is on channel 45 from WVNC-LD, broadcasting from 3.1 miles S of Black River. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Black River, NY?
Fox is on channel 7.2 from WWNY-TV, broadcasting from 5.2 miles SE of Black River. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Black River, NY?
CW is on channel 50.2 from WWTI, broadcasting from 9.9 miles SSE of Black River. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Black River?
26 transmitters within 70 miles of Black River; around 6 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 Black River?
Point your antenna SSE, at about 147°. The main network towers for Black River sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Black River?
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 Black River?
WVNC-LD is only 3.1 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 Black River?
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 York cities
- Calcium2.6 mi
- Fort Drum3.6 mi
- Watertown6.3 mi
- West Carthage9.3 mi
- Brownville9.4 mi
- Carthage9.5 mi
- Philadelphia11 mi
- Dexter12 mi
- Adams Center15 mi
- Sackets Harbor17 mi
- Adams18 mi
- Clayton21 mi
- Lowville22 mi
- Alexandria Bay23 mi
- Gouverneur28 mi
- Richland33 mi
- Pulaski35 mi
- Boonville43 mi
- Mexico44 mi
- Camden47 mi
- Ogdensburg49 mi
More: all TV stations in New York · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Black River; signal estimates ignore terrain.