TV channels & antenna towers in Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie has 14 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WEPA-LD, 1.9 miles to the SSE.
Network channels in Erie
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWFXPFox | 66 | 6.2 mi | 172° S | Strong | Erie, PA |
| CWWJET-TVCW | 24.2 | 6.2 mi | 172° S | Strong | Erie, PA |
| NBCWICU-TVNBC | 12 | 6.4 mi | 169° S | Good | Erie, PA |
| CBSWSEE-TVCBS | 35 | 6.4 mi | 169° S | Strong | Erie, PA |
Over-the-air TV in Erie
Erie, Pennsylvania has a population of about 99,500. Our map shows 14 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 6 full-power, 6 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
10 of them are within 25 miles of Erie, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 4 are more than 45 miles out. Erie is a broadcast hub in its own right: four of the 4 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations are CBS on channel 35 (WSEE-TV), NBC on channel 12 (WICU-TV), Fox on channel 66 (WFXP) and CW on channel 24.2 (WJET-TV). No ABC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WYTV in Youngstown, OH, 80 miles to the south. 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 Erie
Point your antenna S, at about 170°. The main network towers for Erie sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, WFXP, WJET-TV, WICU-TV and WSEE-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 6.2 miles south of Erie (172° S). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Erie at fair strength or better, all arrive from the south, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Erie, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Erie
The farthest main network tower for Erie is WICU-TV (NBC), 6.4 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.
WEPA-LD is only 1.9 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 Erie
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEPA-LDLow power | 1.9 mi | 155° SSE | Strong | Erie, PA |
| WQLNFull power | 6.1 mi | 170° S | Strong | Erie, PA |
| W32DH-DLow power | 6.4 mi | 169° S | Good | Erie, PA |
| W23FH-DLow power | 6.4 mi | 169° S | Weak | New Castle, PA |
| WXTM-LDLow power | 6.4 mi | 169° S | Good | Erie, PA |
| W24EU-DLow power | 18 mi | 108° ESE | Fair | Erie, PA |
| WNYBFull power | 47 mi | 67° ENE | Weak | Jamestown, NY |
| W13DS-DTranslator | 55 mi | 243° WSW | Poor | Cleveland, OH |
| W34FP-DTranslator | 58 mi | 239° WSW | Poor | Eastlake, OH |
| W30EI-DLow power | 64 mi | 196° SSW | Poor | Sharon, PA |
How Erie compares with the rest of Pennsylvania
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Erie ranks 927th of 1,015 places in Pennsylvania: fewer than the typical Pennsylvania town (24). Its nearest major network tower is 6.2 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.
37% of Pennsylvania's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Erie: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 169° S, the direction of WICU-TV (NBC), 6.4 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 9 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 CBS in Erie, PA?
CBS is on channel 35 from WSEE-TV, broadcasting from 6.4 miles S of Erie. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Erie, PA?
NBC is on channel 12 from WICU-TV, broadcasting from 6.4 miles S of Erie. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Erie, PA?
Fox is on channel 66 from WFXP, broadcasting from 6.2 miles S of Erie. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Erie, PA?
CW is on channel 24.2 from WJET-TV, broadcasting from 6.2 miles S of Erie. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Erie?
14 transmitters within 70 miles of Erie; around 9 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 Erie?
Point your antenna S, at about 170°. The main network towers for Erie sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Erie?
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 Erie?
WEPA-LD is only 1.9 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 Erie?
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
- Lawrence Park3.6 mi
- Wesleyville3.7 mi
- Northwest Harborcreek4.8 mi
- Fairview11 mi
- Avonia11 mi
- Waterford14 mi
- North East14 mi
- Girard15 mi
- Lake City16 mi
- Edinboro18 mi
- Union City20 mi
- Albion22 mi
- Cambridge Springs23 mi
- Corry27 mi
- Meadville34 mi
- Titusville41 mi
- Cochranton42 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Clymer, NY25 mi
- Conneaut, OH27 mi
- Ashtabula, OH41 mi
- Jamestown, NY44 mi
- Fredonia, NY44 mi
- Dunkirk, NY45 mi
- Geneva, OH50 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 Erie; signal estimates ignore terrain.