TV channels & antenna towers in Wantagh, New York

Wantagh has 53 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 32 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WLIG-LD, 8.0 miles to the NE.

53TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
8.0 mito the closest tower
18,871population

Network channels in Wantagh

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
IONWPXU-LDION35 24 mi281° WNW WeakAmityville, NY
ABCWABC-TVABC7 25 mi280° W FairNew York, NY
CWWPIXCW11 25 mi280° W FairNew York, NY
UNIWXTV-DTUnivision41 25 mi280° W GoodPaterson, NJ
MeTVWJLPMeTV33.1 25 mi282° WNW FairMiddletown Township, NJ
CBSWCBS-TVCBS2 26 mi275° W GoodNew York, NY
FOXWNYWFox5 26 mi275° W GoodNew York, NY
NBCWNBCNBC4 26 mi275° W GoodNew York, NY
TLMWNJUTelemundo47 26 mi275° W GoodLinden, NJ
IONWPXN-TVION31 26 mi275° W GoodNew York, NY
ABCWTNHABC8 59 mi30° NNE WeakNew Haven, CT

Over-the-air TV in Wantagh

Wantagh, New York has a population of about 18,900. Our map shows 53 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 23 full-power, 6 Class A, 23 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 32 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

12 of them are within 25 miles of Wantagh, 32 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Six of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to New York, so most of the network channels you will find here come from New York's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7 (WABC-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WCBS-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WNBC), Fox on channel 5 (WNYW), CW on channel 11 (WPIX), ION on channel 31 (WPXN-TV), Telemundo on channel 47 (WNJU), Univision on channel 41 (WXTV-DT) and MeTV on channel 33.1 (WJLP). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 13 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 Wantagh

Point your antenna W, at about 276°. The main network towers for Wantagh sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Five network stations, WCBS-TV, WNYW, WNBC, WNJU and WPXN-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 26 miles west of Wantagh (275° W). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Wantagh at fair strength or better, all arrive from the west, so this is an easy place to aim.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Wantagh, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Wantagh

The farthest main network tower for Wantagh is WNYW (Fox), 26 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Wantagh

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 42; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WLIG-LDLow power8.0 mi 34° NEFairPlainview, Etc., NY
W20CQ-DLow power8.1 mi 18° NNEFairHempstead, NY
WNYZ-LDLow power23 mi 281° WWeakNew York, NY
WNYN-LDLow power24 mi 254° WSWFairNew York, NY
WNJJ-LDLow power24 mi 254° WSWFairNew York, NY
W09CZ-DLow power24 mi 284° WNWWeakRoslyn, NY
WNYK-LDLow power24 mi 281° WNWFairTeaneck, NJ
WNMF-LDLow power24 mi 281° WNWFairNew York, NY
WHTV-LDLow power24 mi 281° WNWFairNew York, NY
WNYD-LDLow power24 mi 281° WNWWeakNew York, NY
W02CY-DLow power24 mi 281° WNWWeakNew York, NY
WXNY-LDLow power25 mi 280° WWeakNew York, NY
WDYJ-LDLow power25 mi 280° WFairNew York, NY
WFUT-DTFull power25 mi 280° WGoodNewark, NJ
WTBY-TVFull power25 mi 280° WFairJersey City, NJ
WDYA-LDLow power25 mi 280° WFairNew York, NY
WDVB-CDClass A25 mi 280° WFairEdison, NJ
WNYE-TVFull power25 mi 282° WNWGoodNew York, NY
WMBQ-CDClass A26 mi 275° WPoorNew York, NY
WNETFull power26 mi 275° WFairNewark, NJ
WNWT-LDLow power26 mi 275° WFairNew York, NY
WLIWFull power26 mi 275° WGoodGarden City, NY
WMBC-TVFull power26 mi 275° WGoodNewton, NJ
WKOB-LDLow power26 mi 275° WWeakNew York, NY
WNDT-CDClass A26 mi 275° WFairManhattan, NY

How Wantagh compares with the rest of New York

With 32 stations at fair strength or better, Wantagh ranks 323rd of 1,012 places in New York: more than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 24 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

42% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Levittown, 2.9 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Wantagh: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 275° W, the direction of WNYW (Fox), 26 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 32 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Wantagh, NY?

ABC is on channel 7 from WABC-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles W of Wantagh. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CBS in Wantagh, NY?

CBS is on channel 2 from WCBS-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles W of Wantagh. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Wantagh, NY?

NBC is on channel 4 from WNBC, broadcasting from 26 miles W of Wantagh. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Wantagh, NY?

Fox is on channel 5 from WNYW, broadcasting from 26 miles W of Wantagh. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Wantagh, NY?

CW is on channel 11 from WPIX, broadcasting from 25 miles W of Wantagh. Estimated signal: fair.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Wantagh?

53 transmitters within 70 miles of Wantagh; around 32 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 Wantagh?

Point your antenna W, at about 276°. The main network towers for Wantagh sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Wantagh?

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 Wantagh?

An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Wantagh?

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

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 Wantagh; signal estimates ignore terrain.