TV channels & antenna towers in Isle of Palms, South Carolina
Isle of Palms has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox, CW and MeTV. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WHDC-LD, 3.2 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Isle of Palms
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVWGWGMeTV | 4.1 | 11 mi | 30° NNE | Strong | Charleston, SC |
| CBSWCSC-TVCBS | 5 | 11 mi | 30° NNE | Strong | Charleston, SC |
| FOXWTAT-TVFox | 24 | 12 mi | 28° NNE | Strong | Charleston, SC |
| ABCWCIVABC | 36.2 | 12 mi | 28° NNE | Strong | Charleston, SC |
| CWWCBD-TVCW | 2.2 | 12 mi | 28° NNE | Strong | Charleston, SC |
Over-the-air TV in Isle of Palms
Isle of Palms, South Carolina has a population of about 4,130. There are 20 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 7 full-power, 3 Class A and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 11 at good or strong strength.
12 of them are within 25 miles of Isle of Palms, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 7 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Charleston, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Charleston's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 36.2 (WCIV), CBS on channel 5 (WCSC-TV), Fox on channel 24 (WTAT-TV), CW on channel 2.2 (WCBD-TV) and MeTV on channel 4.1 (WGWG). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WMBF-TV in Myrtle Beach, SC, 77 miles to the northeast. 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 Isle of Palms
Point your antenna NNE, at about 29°. The main network towers for Isle of Palms sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Five network stations, WGWG, WCSC-TV, WTAT-TV, WCIV and WCBD-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 11 miles northeast of Isle of Palms (30° NNE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Isle of Palms at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Isle of Palms, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Isle of Palms
The farthest main network tower for Isle of Palms is WTAT-TV (Fox), 12 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.
WLCN-CD is only 3.2 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 Isle of Palms
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WHDC-LDLow power | 3.2 mi | 313° NW | Good | Charleston, SC |
| WLCN-CDClass A | 3.2 mi | 313° NW | Strong | Charleston, SC |
| WBSE-LDLow power | 9.2 mi | 285° WNW | Good | Charleston, SC |
| WITVFull power | 11 mi | 30° NNE | Strong | Charleston, SC |
| WZCH-LDLow power | 11 mi | 30° NNE | Good | Charleston, SC |
| WAZS-LDLow power | 20 mi | 299° WNW | Fair | North Charleston, SC |
| WJNI-LDLow power | 20 mi | 299° WNW | Fair | North Charleston, SC |
| WLOW-LDLow power | 28 mi | 309° NW | Fair | Charleston, SC |
| WJWJ-TVFull power | 52 mi | 264° W | Good | Beaufort, SC |
| W15ES-DLow power | 54 mi | 32° NNE | Poor | Georgetown, SC |
| W14EP-DLow power | 61 mi | 244° WSW | Poor | Beaufort, Etc., SC |
| W31FD-DLow power | 61 mi | 244° WSW | Poor | Bluffton-Hilton Head, SC |
| W29EN-DLow power | 61 mi | 244° WSW | Poor | Beaufort-Ladys Island, SC |
| WGSC-CDClass A | 69 mi | 38° NE | Poor | Murrells Inlet, SC |
| WGSI-CDClass A | 69 mi | 38° NE | Poor | Murrells Inlet, SC |
How Isle of Palms compares with the rest of South Carolina
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Isle of Palms ranks 131st of 244 places in South Carolina: fewer than the typical South Carolina town (15). Its nearest major network tower is 11 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
18% of South Carolina's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Mount Pleasant, 4.0 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Isle of Palms: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 28° NNE, the direction of WTAT-TV (Fox), 12 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 14 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 Isle of Palms, SC?
ABC is on channel 36.2 from WCIV, broadcasting from 12 miles NNE of Isle of Palms. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Isle of Palms, SC?
CBS is on channel 5 from WCSC-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles NNE of Isle of Palms. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Isle of Palms, SC?
Fox is on channel 24 from WTAT-TV, broadcasting from 12 miles NNE of Isle of Palms. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Isle of Palms, SC?
CW is on channel 2.2 from WCBD-TV, broadcasting from 12 miles NNE of Isle of Palms. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Isle of Palms?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Isle of Palms; around 14 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 Isle of Palms?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 29°. The main network towers for Isle of Palms sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Isle of Palms?
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 Isle of Palms?
WLCN-CD is only 3.2 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 Isle of Palms?
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 South Carolina cities
- Sullivans Island2.9 mi
- Mount Pleasant4.0 mi
- Charleston7.9 mi
- James Island11 mi
- North Charleston11 mi
- Folly Beach12 mi
- Hanahan16 mi
- Shell Point18 mi
- Goose Creek19 mi
- Awendaw20 mi
- Kiawah Island21 mi
- Ladson23 mi
- Sangaree26 mi
- Lincolnville26 mi
- Centerville26 mi
- Hollywood26 mi
- Seabrook Island26 mi
- Meggett26 mi
- Ravenel27 mi
- Summerville27 mi
- Moncks Corner31 mi
- Ridgeville37 mi
- Bonneau Beach39 mi
- Andrews48 mi
More: all TV stations in South Carolina · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Isle of Palms; signal estimates ignore terrain.