TV channels & antenna towers in Long Beach, North Carolina
Long Beach has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying NBC, Fox, CW, ION, Telemundo and MeTV. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WILT-LD, 15 miles to the NNE.
Network channels in Long Beach
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWWAYCW | 3.3 | 16 mi | 345° NNW | Strong | Wilmington, NC |
| NBCWECTNBC | 6 | 16 mi | 345° NNW | Strong | Wilmington, NC |
| FOXWSFX-TVFox | 26 | 16 mi | 345° NNW | Good | Wilmington, NC |
| TLMWTWL-LDTelemundo | 31 | 22 mi | 27° NNE | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| MeTVWILM-LDMeTV | 10.2 | 29 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| IONWPXU-TVION | 35 | 54 mi | 42° NE | Fair | Jacksonville, NC |
| NBCWMBF-TVNBC | 32 | 56 mi | 258° WSW | Weak | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| TLMWXIV-LDTelemundo | 14 | 56 mi | 258° WSW | Poor | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| FOXWFXBFox | 43 | 64 mi | 288° WNW | Good | Myrtle Beach, SC |
Over-the-air TV in Long Beach
Long Beach, North Carolina has a population of about 5,620. There are 26 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 8 full-power, 2 Class A and 16 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 13 transmitters are within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 9 farther out. Five of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to Wilmington, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Wilmington's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are NBC on channel 6 (WECT), Fox on channel 26 (WSFX-TV), CW on channel 3.3 (WWAY), ION on channel 35 (WPXU-TV), Telemundo on channel 31 (WTWL-LD) and MeTV on channel 10.2 (WILM-LD). No ABC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WCTI-TV in New Bern, NC, 94 miles to the northeast. No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WBTW in Florence, SC, 76 miles to the northwest. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 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 Long Beach
Point your antenna NNW, at about 345°. The main network towers for Long Beach sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WWAY, WECT and WSFX-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 16 miles north of Long Beach (345° NNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Long Beach at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Long Beach, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Long Beach
The farthest main network tower for Long Beach is WSFX-TV (Fox), 16 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 Long Beach
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WILT-LDLow power | 15 mi | 33° NNE | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| W35EF-DLow power | 16 mi | 345° NNW | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| W04DQ-DLow power | 22 mi | 13° NNE | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| WQDH-LDLow power | 22 mi | 30° NNE | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| W11DR-DLow power | 22 mi | 27° NNE | Weak | Wilmington, NC |
| W19EU-DLow power | 22 mi | 27° NNE | Weak | Wilmington, NC |
| W22FN-DLow power | 22 mi | 27° NNE | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| W20EY-DLow power | 22 mi | 27° NNE | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| WIDO-LDLow power | 22 mi | 273° W | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| WUNJ-TVFull power | 29 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Wilmington, NC |
| W30ER-DLow power | 29 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Wilmington, NC |
| WQHI-LDLow power | 45 mi | 259° W | Poor | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| WHMCFull power | 57 mi | 273° W | Fair | Conway, SC |
| WFDY-LDLow power | 58 mi | 249° WSW | Poor | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| WMBE-LDLow power | 58 mi | 248° WSW | Poor | Myrtle Beach, SC |
| WGSC-CDClass A | 59 mi | 246° WSW | Poor | Murrells Inlet, SC |
| WGSI-CDClass A | 59 mi | 246° WSW | Poor | Murrells Inlet, SC |
How Long Beach compares with the rest of North Carolina
With 17 stations at fair strength or better, Long Beach ranks 302nd of 465 places in North Carolina: fewer than the typical North Carolina town (19). Its nearest major network tower is 16 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.
19% of North Carolina's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Wilmington, 24 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Long Beach: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 345° NNW, the direction of WSFX-TV (Fox), 16 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 NBC in Long Beach, NC?
NBC is on channel 6 from WECT, broadcasting from 16 miles NNW of Long Beach. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Long Beach, NC?
Fox is on channel 26 from WSFX-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles NNW of Long Beach. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Long Beach, NC?
CW is on channel 3.3 from WWAY, broadcasting from 16 miles NNW of Long Beach. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Telemundo in Long Beach, NC?
Telemundo is on channel 31 from WTWL-LD, broadcasting from 22 miles NNE of Long Beach. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Long Beach?
26 transmitters within 70 miles of Long Beach; 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 Long Beach?
Point your antenna NNW, at about 345°. The main network towers for Long Beach sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
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 Long Beach?
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
- Saint James1.3 mi
- Oak Island2.5 mi
- Southport5.6 mi
- Boiling Spring Lakes8.8 mi
- Bolivia11 mi
- Kure Beach13 mi
- Carolina Beach15 mi
- Shallotte16 mi
- Silver Lake20 mi
- Myrtle Grove21 mi
- Wilmington24 mi
- Masonboro24 mi
- Leland24 mi
- Kings Grant28 mi
- Ogden30 mi
- Murraysville31 mi
- Lake Waccamaw36 mi
- Whiteville45 mi
- Burgaw46 mi
- Tabor City46 mi
- Surf City48 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 Long Beach; signal estimates ignore terrain.