TV channels & antenna towers in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte has 23 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and MeTV. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W15EB-D, 2.7 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Charlotte
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVWCCBMeTV | 18.3 | 6.7 mi | 66° ENE | Strong | Charlotte, NC |
| ABCWSOC-TVABC | 9 | 7.0 mi | 70° ENE | Strong | Charlotte, NC |
| CWWMYT-TVCW | 55 | 20 mi | 298° WNW | Strong | Rock Hill, SC |
| FOXWJZYFox | 46 | 20 mi | 298° WNW | Strong | Belmont, NC |
| NBCWCNC-TVNBC | 36 | 20 mi | 294° WNW | Strong | Charlotte, NC |
| CBSWBTVCBS | 3 | 22 mi | 296° WNW | Strong | Charlotte, NC |
| FOXWGHPFox | 8 | 69 mi | 54° NE | Fair | High Point, NC |
Over-the-air TV in Charlotte
Charlotte is a city of about 827,000 people in North Carolina. There are 23 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 2 Class A, 5 low-power and 5 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 14 at good or strong strength.
15 of them are within 25 miles of Charlotte, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 7 are more than 45 miles out. Charlotte is a broadcast hub in its own right: four of the 7 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 9 (WSOC-TV), CBS on channel 3 (WBTV), NBC on channel 36 (WCNC-TV), Fox on channel 46 (WJZY), CW on channel 55 (WMYT-TV) and MeTV on channel 18.3 (WCCB). 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 Charlotte
The main network towers around Charlotte are in different directions: ABC 70° ENE (7.0 mi), CBS 296° WNW (22 mi), NBC 294° WNW (20 mi) and Fox 298° WNW (20 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, WMYT-TV, WJZY, WCNC-TV and WBTV, transmit from the same tower site about 20 miles northwest of Charlotte (298° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Charlotte at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Charlotte, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Charlotte
The farthest main network tower for Charlotte is WBTV (CBS), 22 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
W15EB-D is only 2.7 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 Charlotte
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W15EB-DClass A | 2.7 mi | 224° SW | Strong | Charlotte, NC |
| WVEB-LDLow power | 2.7 mi | 224° SW | Good | Florence, SC |
| WAXN-TVFull power | 7.0 mi | 70° ENE | Strong | Kannapolis, NC |
| WHEH-LDLow power | 9.0 mi | 79° E | Good | Lumberton, NC |
| WDMC-LDLow power | 9.0 mi | 79° E | Good | Charlotte, NC |
| WCEE-LDTranslator | 9.0 mi | 79° E | Good | Charlotte, NC |
| WTVIFull power | 9.3 mi | 63° ENE | Fair | Charlotte, NC |
| WUNG-TVFull power | 16 mi | 55° NE | Good | Concord, NC |
| WGTB-CDClass A | 20 mi | 298° WNW | Fair | Charlotte, NC |
| WNSC-TVFull power | 29 mi | 200° SSW | Good | Rock Hill, SC |
| W26FA-DTranslator | 51 mi | 311° NW | Poor | Marion, NC |
| W34FH-DTranslator | 51 mi | 311° NW | Poor | Marion, Etc., NC |
| W17EE-DTranslator | 53 mi | 106° ESE | Poor | Lilesville/Wadesboro, NC |
| W36FB-DTranslator | 57 mi | 86° E | Poor | Biscoe, NC |
| W06DK-DLow power | 68 mi | 141° SE | Poor | Pageland, SC |
| WHWD-LDLow power | 68 mi | 29° NNE | Poor | Winston-Salem, NC |
How Charlotte compares with the rest of North Carolina
With 17 stations at fair strength or better, Charlotte ranks 302nd of 465 places in North Carolina: fewer than the typical North Carolina town (19). Its nearest major network tower is 6.7 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.
19% of North Carolina's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Charlotte: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 296° WNW, the direction of WBTV (CBS), 22 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 17 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 Charlotte, NC?
ABC is on channel 9 from WSOC-TV, broadcasting from 7.0 miles ENE of Charlotte. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Charlotte, NC?
CBS is on channel 3 from WBTV, broadcasting from 22 miles WNW of Charlotte. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Charlotte, NC?
NBC is on channel 36 from WCNC-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles WNW of Charlotte. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Charlotte, NC?
Fox is on channel 46 from WJZY, broadcasting from 20 miles WNW of Charlotte. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Charlotte, NC?
CW is on channel 55 from WMYT-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles WNW of Charlotte. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Charlotte?
23 transmitters within 70 miles of Charlotte; around 17 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 Charlotte?
The main network towers around Charlotte are in different directions: ABC 70° ENE (7.0 mi), CBS 296° WNW (22 mi), NBC 294° WNW (20 mi) and Fox 298° WNW (20 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Charlotte?
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 Charlotte?
W15EB-D is only 2.7 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 Charlotte?
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 North Carolina cities
- Matthews10 mi
- Pineville10 mi
- Mount Holly11 mi
- Belmont11 mi
- Mint Hill12 mi
- Harrisburg12 mi
- Huntersville13 mi
- Stallings13 mi
- Indian Trail14 mi
- Weddington15 mi
- Marvin16 mi
- Wesley Chapel18 mi
- Cornelius18 mi
- Davidson19 mi
- Concord19 mi
- Gastonia20 mi
- South Gastonia20 mi
- Unionville21 mi
- Waxhaw22 mi
- Kannapolis22 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in North Carolina · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Charlotte; signal estimates ignore terrain.