TV channels & antenna towers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston-Salem has 28 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WHWD-LD, 0.8 miles to the SSW.

Open Winston-Salem in the live finder

28TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

0.8 mito the closest tower

241,218population

Network channels in Winston-Salem

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CWWCWGCW	20	20 mi	339° NNW	Strong	Lexington, NC
NBCWXII-TVNBC	12	20 mi	339° NNW	Strong	Winston-Salem, NC
IONWGPX-TVION	16	28 mi	125° SE	Good	Burlington, NC
CBSWFMY-TVCBS	2	28 mi	125° SE	Good	Greensboro, NC
ABCWXLV-TVABC	45	28 mi	124° SE	Good	Winston-Salem, NC
FOXWGHPFox	8	30 mi	131° SE	Good	High Point, NC
MeTVWCCBMeTV	18.3	64 mi	206° SSW	Fair	Charlotte, NC
ABCWSOC-TVABC	9	64 mi	205° SSW	Fair	Charlotte, NC

Over-the-air TV in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem, North Carolina has a population of about 241,000. Our map shows 28 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 16 full-power, 9 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 5 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 16 farther out. Winston-Salem is a broadcast hub in its own right: two of the 8 network stations in range are licensed here.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 45 (WXLV-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WFMY-TV), NBC on channel 12 (WXII-TV), Fox on channel 8 (WGHP), CW on channel 20 (WCWG), ION on channel 16 (WGPX-TV) and MeTV on channel 18.3 (WCCB). 8 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 Winston-Salem

The main network towers around Winston-Salem are in different directions: ABC 124° SE (28 mi), CBS 125° SE (28 mi), NBC 339° NNW (20 mi) and Fox 131° SE (30 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, WGPX-TV, WFMY-TV and WXLV-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 28 miles southeast of Winston-Salem (125° SE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Winston-Salem at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Winston-Salem

The farthest main network tower for Winston-Salem is WGHP (Fox), 30 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

WHWD-LD is only 0.8 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 Winston-Salem

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WHWD-LDLow power	0.8 mi	211° SSW	Strong	Winston-Salem, NC
WLXIFull power	20 mi	340° NNW	Strong	Greensboro, NC
WUNL-TVFull power	20 mi	340° NNW	Strong	Winston-Salem, NC
WMYVFull power	28 mi	124° SE	Good	Greensboro, NC
WACN-LDLow power	34 mi	72° ENE	Weak	Raleigh, NC
WGSR-LDLow power	37 mi	61° ENE	Weak	Reidsville, NC
WYAT-LDLow power	46 mi	27° NNE	Poor	Martinsville, VA
WUNG-TVFull power	55 mi	202° SSW	Fair	Concord, NC
W15EF-DTranslator	57 mi	301° WNW	Poor	Sparta, NC
W36FB-DTranslator	61 mi	158° SSE	Poor	Biscoe, NC
WTVIFull power	62 mi	204° SSW	Poor	Charlotte, NC
WRAY-TVFull power	62 mi	105° ESE	Good	Wake Forest, NC
WUNC-TVFull power	62 mi	105° ESE	Good	Chapel Hill, NC
W36FG-DLow power	62 mi	105° ESE	Poor	Charlotte, NC
WIRP-LDLow power	63 mi	104° ESE	Poor	Raleigh, NC
WDMC-LDLow power	64 mi	203° SSW	Poor	Charlotte, NC
WCEE-LDTranslator	64 mi	203° SSW	Poor	Charlotte, NC
WHEH-LDLow power	64 mi	203° SSW	Poor	Lumberton, NC
WAXN-TVFull power	64 mi	205° SSW	Fair	Kannapolis, NC
WMDV-LDLow power	65 mi	47° NE	Poor	Danville, VA

How Winston-Salem compares with the rest of North Carolina

With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Winston-Salem ranks 328th of 465 places in North Carolina: fewer than the typical North Carolina town (19). Its nearest major network tower is 20 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.

57% of North Carolina's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna.

Setting up an antenna in Winston-Salem: step by step

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.
Point it toward 131° SE, the direction of WGHP (Fox), 30 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 16 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 Winston-Salem, NC?

ABC is on channel 45 from WXLV-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles SE of Winston-Salem. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Winston-Salem, NC?

CBS is on channel 2 from WFMY-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles SE of Winston-Salem. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Winston-Salem, NC?

NBC is on channel 12 from WXII-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles NNW of Winston-Salem. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Winston-Salem, NC?

Fox is on channel 8 from WGHP, broadcasting from 30 miles SE of Winston-Salem. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Winston-Salem, NC?

CW is on channel 20 from WCWG, broadcasting from 20 miles NNW of Winston-Salem. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Winston-Salem?

28 transmitters within 70 miles of Winston-Salem; around 16 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 Winston-Salem?

What kind of antenna do I need in Winston-Salem?

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. The towers are spread over about 152° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Winston-Salem?

WHWD-LD is only 0.8 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 Winston-Salem?

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

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 Winston-Salem; signal estimates ignore terrain.