TV channels & antenna towers in Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City has 43 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CW and MeTV. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WOPI-CD, 15 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Johnson City
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVWAPK-CDMeTV | 36.1 | 15 mi | 56° NE | Fair | Bristol Va/Kingsport, TN |
| ABCWJHL-TVABC | 11.2 | 15 mi | 56° NE | Good | Johnson City, TN |
| CWWCYB-TVCW | 5.2 | 17 mi | 55° NE | Strong | Bristol, VA |
| ABCWLOSABC | 13 | 65 mi | 200° SSW | Fair | Asheville, NC |
Over-the-air TV in Johnson City
Johnson City, Tennessee has a population of about 66,000. Our map shows 43 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 6 Class A, 1 low-power and 27 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
9 of them are within 25 miles of Johnson City, 9 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 25 are more than 45 miles out.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 11.2 (WJHL-TV), CW on channel 5.2 (WCYB-TV) and MeTV on channel 36.1 (WAPK-CD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WYMT-TV in Hazard, KY, 76 miles to the northwest. No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WYFF in Greenville, SC, 84 miles to the south. 6 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 Johnson City
Point your antenna NE, at about 56°. The main network towers for Johnson City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WAPK-CD, WJHL-TV and WCYB-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 15 miles northeast of Johnson City (56° NE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Johnson City at fair strength or better, 75% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Johnson City, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Johnson City
The farthest main network tower for Johnson City is WJHL-TV (ABC), 15 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
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 Johnson City
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 39; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOPI-CDClass A | 15 mi | 56° NE | Fair | Bristol,Va/Kingsport, TN |
| WKPT-TVFull power | 15 mi | 56° NE | Good | Kingsport, TN |
| WEMTFull power | 17 mi | 55° NE | Strong | Greeneville, TN |
| WKIN-CDClass A | 20 mi | 319° NW | Weak | Weber Cy,Va-Kpt,Tn, VA |
| WKPZ-CDClass A | 20 mi | 319° NW | Fair | Kingsport, TN |
| WKPT-CDClass A | 20 mi | 319° NW | Fair | Kingsport, TN |
| W07DS-DTranslator | 26 mi | 173° S | Poor | Burnsville, NC |
| W35CO-DTranslator | 26 mi | 173° S | Fair | Burnsville, NC |
| W31DI-DTranslator | 33 mi | 155° SSE | Weak | Spruce Pine, NC |
| WUNE-TVFull power | 33 mi | 121° ESE | Good | Linville, NC |
| W15EL-DTranslator | 34 mi | 199° SSW | Poor | Mars Hill, NC |
| W30CS-DTranslator | 35 mi | 91° E | Poor | Zionville, NC |
| W27EK-DTranslator | 37 mi | 98° E | Poor | Boone, NC |
| W12CI-DTranslator | 37 mi | 224° SW | Poor | Hot Springs, NC |
| W23ES-DTranslator | 40 mi | 209° SSW | Poor | Marshall, NC |
| WETP-TVFull power | 46 mi | 276° W | Good | Sneedville, TN |
| W18EP-DTranslator | 46 mi | 195° SSW | Poor | Weaverville, NC |
| W10AD-DTranslator | 47 mi | 179° S | Poor | Montreat, NC |
| W28EE-DTranslator | 47 mi | 190° S | Poor | Canton, Etc., NC |
| W12AQ-DTranslator | 48 mi | 179° S | Poor | Black Mountain, NC |
| W22FB-DTranslator | 48 mi | 156° SSE | Poor | Marion, NC |
| W15DY-DTranslator | 48 mi | 156° SSE | Poor | Marion, Etc., NC |
| W30EF-DTranslator | 49 mi | 78° ENE | Poor | Jefferson, NC |
| W33EH-DTranslator | 52 mi | 182° S | Poor | Black Mountain, NC |
| WASV-LDLow power | 53 mi | 200° SSW | Poor | Asheville, NC |
How Johnson City compares with the rest of Tennessee
With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Johnson City ranks 187th of 299 places in Tennessee: fewer than the typical Tennessee town (15). Its nearest major network tower is 15 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.
31% of Tennessee's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Johnson City: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 56° NE, the direction of WJHL-TV (ABC), 15 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 13 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 Johnson City, TN?
ABC is on channel 11.2 from WJHL-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles NE of Johnson City. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Johnson City, TN?
CW is on channel 5.2 from WCYB-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles NE of Johnson City. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Johnson City?
43 transmitters within 70 miles of Johnson City; around 13 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 Johnson City?
Point your antenna NE, at about 56°. The main network towers for Johnson City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Johnson City?
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 Johnson City?
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 Johnson City?
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 Tennessee cities
- Jonesborough6.8 mi
- Elizabethton8.3 mi
- Erwin12 mi
- Colonial Heights14 mi
- Roan Mountain18 mi
- Kingsport20 mi
- Bloomingdale20 mi
- Bristol22 mi
- Mount Carmel23 mi
- Church Hill25 mi
- Greeneville29 mi
- Mountain City32 mi
- Rogersville37 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Bristol, VA22 mi
- Burnsville, NC28 mi
- Spruce Pine, NC32 mi
- Abingdon, VA34 mi
- Boone, NC38 mi
- Castlewood, VA40 mi
- Lebanon, VA43 mi
- Big Stone Gap, VA45 mi
- Marion, NC48 mi
- Black Mountain, NC48 mi
- Pennington Gap, VA48 mi
More: all TV stations in Tennessee · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Johnson City; signal estimates ignore terrain.