TV channels & antenna towers in Cresson, Pennsylvania
Cresson has 22 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, CW and ION. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WATM-TV (ABC), 11 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Cresson
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWATM-TVABC | 23 | 11 mi | 46° NE | Strong | Altoona, PA |
| CBSWTAJ-TVCBS | 10 | 11 mi | 47° NE | Strong | Altoona, PA |
| IONWKBS-TVION | 47.4 | 11 mi | 47° NE | Fair | Altoona, PA |
| CWWJAC-TVCW | 6.4 | 21 mi | 254° WSW | Strong | Johnstown, PA |
| ABCWWCP-TVABC | 8.2 | 35 mi | 237° WSW | Fair | Johnstown, PA |
| ABCWTAE-TVABC | 4 | 65 mi | 259° W | Weak | Pittsburgh, PA |
Over-the-air TV in Cresson
Cresson is a small community of about 1,630 people in Pennsylvania. There are 22 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 3 Class A, 7 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
5 of them are within 25 miles of Cresson, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 12 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Altoona, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Altoona's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 23 (WATM-TV), CBS on channel 10 (WTAJ-TV), CW on channel 6.4 (WJAC-TV) and ION on channel 47.4 (WKBS-TV). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WPXI in Pittsburgh, PA, 74 miles to the west. No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WPGH-TV in Pittsburgh, PA, 74 miles to the west. 3 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 Cresson
Point your antenna NE, at about 46°. The main network towers for Cresson sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WATM-TV, WTAJ-TV and WKBS-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 11 miles northeast of Cresson (46° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Cresson at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Cresson, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Cresson
The farthest main network tower for Cresson is WTAJ-TV (CBS), 11 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
WATM-TV is only 11 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 Cresson
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WTOO-CDClass A | 22 mi | 254° WSW | Fair | Johnstown, PA |
| W36FK-DTranslator | 38 mi | 307° NW | Poor | Altoona, PA |
| W26EQ-DLow power | 41 mi | 64° ENE | Poor | State College, PA |
| WTOO-LDLow power | 42 mi | 2° N | Poor | Clearfield, PA |
| W33EM-DTranslator | 44 mi | 242° WSW | Poor | Pittsburgh, PA |
| WHVL-LDLow power | 45 mi | 45° NE | Poor | State College, Etc., PA |
| WSPZ-LDLow power | 45 mi | 45° NE | Poor | State College, PA |
| WPSU-TVFull power | 46 mi | 10° N | Good | Clearfield, PA |
| W25FE-DLow power | 53 mi | 123° ESE | Poor | Chambersburg, PA |
| WCZS-LDLow power | 53 mi | 123° ESE | Poor | Chambersburg, PA |
| W20EU-DTranslator | 53 mi | 122° ESE | Poor | Chambersburg, PA |
| WKHU-CDClass A | 54 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Kittanning, PA |
| WIIC-LDLow power | 59 mi | 269° W | Poor | Pittsburgh, PA |
| WBYD-CDClass A | 59 mi | 269° W | Poor | Pittsburgh, PA |
| WPCB-TVFull power | 63 mi | 266° W | Weak | Greensburg, PA |
| WWPBFull power | 65 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Hagerstown, MD |
How Cresson compares with the rest of Pennsylvania
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Cresson ranks 950th of 1,015 places in Pennsylvania: fewer than the typical Pennsylvania town (24). Its nearest major network tower is 11 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.
37% of Pennsylvania's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Altoona, 11 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Cresson: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 47° NE, the direction of WTAJ-TV (CBS), 11 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 8 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 Cresson, PA?
ABC is on channel 23 from WATM-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles NE of Cresson. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Cresson, PA?
CBS is on channel 10 from WTAJ-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles NE of Cresson. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Cresson, PA?
CW is on channel 6.4 from WJAC-TV, broadcasting from 21 miles WSW of Cresson. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Cresson?
22 transmitters within 70 miles of Cresson; around 8 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 Cresson?
Point your antenna NE, at about 46°. The main network towers for Cresson sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Cresson?
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 Cresson?
WATM-TV is only 11 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 Cresson?
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 Pennsylvania cities
- Gallitzin2.6 mi
- Loretto3.6 mi
- Portage6.5 mi
- Ebensburg7.2 mi
- Duncansville8.7 mi
- Hollidaysburg11 mi
- Altoona11 mi
- Northern Cambria17 mi
- Johnstown20 mi
- Williamsburg21 mi
- Tyrone24 mi
- Huntingdon31 mi
- Bedford31 mi
- Indiana31 mi
- Philipsburg36 mi
- Mount Union38 mi
- Punxsutawney39 mi
- Clearfield40 mi
- Somerset40 mi
- Latrobe43 mi
- Park Forest Village43 mi
- Shiloh43 mi
- State College45 mi
- DuBois46 mi
More: all TV stations in Pennsylvania · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Cresson; signal estimates ignore terrain.