TV channels & antenna towers in West Hempstead, New York

West Hempstead has 53 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 41 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W20CQ-D, 12 miles to the ENE.

53TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
12 mito the closest tower
18,862population

Network channels in West Hempstead

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
IONWPXU-LDION35 17 mi281° WNW FairAmityville, NY
ABCWABC-TVABC7 18 mi280° W GoodNew York, NY
CWWPIXCW11 18 mi280° W FairNew York, NY
UNIWXTV-DTUnivision41 18 mi280° W GoodPaterson, NJ
MeTVWJLPMeTV33.1 18 mi282° WNW FairMiddletown Township, NJ
CBSWCBS-TVCBS2 19 mi272° W StrongNew York, NY
FOXWNYWFox5 19 mi272° W GoodNew York, NY
NBCWNBCNBC4 19 mi272° W StrongNew York, NY
TLMWNJUTelemundo47 19 mi272° W StrongLinden, NJ
IONWPXN-TVION31 19 mi272° W GoodNew York, NY
ABCWTNHABC8 62 mi36° NE WeakNew Haven, CT

Over-the-air TV in West Hempstead

West Hempstead, New York has a population of about 18,900. Our map shows 53 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 23 full-power, 5 Class A, 23 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 41 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 16 at good or strong strength.

39 of them are within 25 miles of West Hempstead, 5 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 (strong 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 West Hempstead

Point your antenna W, at about 274°. The main network towers for West Hempstead 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 19 miles west of West Hempstead (272° W). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach West Hempstead 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 West Hempstead, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for West Hempstead

The farthest main network tower for West Hempstead is WNYW (Fox), 19 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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 West Hempstead

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
W20CQ-DLow power12 mi 58° ENEFairHempstead, NY
WLIG-LDLow power13 mi 66° ENEFairPlainview, Etc., NY
WNYZ-LDLow power16 mi 281° WFairNew York, NY
W09CZ-DLow power17 mi 285° WNWFairRoslyn, NY
WNYK-LDLow power17 mi 281° WNWFairTeaneck, NJ
WNMF-LDLow power17 mi 281° WNWFairNew York, NY
WHTV-LDLow power17 mi 281° WNWFairNew York, NY
WNYD-LDLow power17 mi 281° WNWFairNew York, NY
W02CY-DLow power17 mi 281° WNWWeakNew York, NY
WXNY-LDLow power18 mi 280° WFairNew York, NY
WDYJ-LDLow power18 mi 280° WFairNew York, NY
WFUT-DTFull power18 mi 280° WGoodNewark, NJ
WTBY-TVFull power18 mi 280° WFairJersey City, NJ
WDYA-LDLow power18 mi 280° WFairNew York, NY
WDVB-CDClass A18 mi 280° WFairEdison, NJ
WNYN-LDLow power18 mi 243° WSWFairNew York, NY
WNJJ-LDLow power18 mi 243° WSWFairNew York, NY
WNYE-TVFull power18 mi 282° WNWGoodNew York, NY
WMBQ-CDClass A19 mi 272° WPoorNew York, NY
WNETFull power19 mi 272° WFairNewark, NJ
WNWT-LDLow power19 mi 272° WGoodNew York, NY
WLIWFull power19 mi 272° WGoodGarden City, NY
WMBC-TVFull power19 mi 272° WGoodNewton, NJ
WKOB-LDLow power19 mi 272° WFairNew York, NY
WNDT-CDClass A19 mi 272° WFairManhattan, NY

How West Hempstead compares with the rest of New York

With 41 stations at fair strength or better, West Hempstead ranks 26th of 1,012 places in New York: more than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 17 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

34% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Hempstead, 1.6 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in West Hempstead: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 272° W, the direction of WNYW (Fox), 19 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 41 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 West Hempstead, NY?

ABC is on channel 7 from WABC-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles W of West Hempstead. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in West Hempstead, NY?

CBS is on channel 2 from WCBS-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles W of West Hempstead. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in West Hempstead, NY?

NBC is on channel 4 from WNBC, broadcasting from 19 miles W of West Hempstead. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in West Hempstead, NY?

Fox is on channel 5 from WNYW, broadcasting from 19 miles W of West Hempstead. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in West Hempstead, NY?

CW is on channel 11 from WPIX, broadcasting from 18 miles W of West Hempstead. Estimated signal: fair.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in West Hempstead?

53 transmitters within 70 miles of West Hempstead; around 41 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 West Hempstead?

Point your antenna W, at about 274°. The main network towers for West Hempstead sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in West Hempstead?

Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in West Hempstead?

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 West Hempstead?

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 West Hempstead; signal estimates ignore terrain.