TV channels & antenna towers in Rocky Top, Tennessee
Rocky Top has 25 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 WBXX-TV (CW), 13 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Rocky Top
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWBXX-TVCW | 20 | 13 mi | 234° SW | Strong | Crossville, TN |
| FOXWTNZFox | 43 | 19 mi | 144° SE | Good | Knoxville, TN |
| CBSWVLT-TVCBS | 8 | 19 mi | 144° SE | Strong | Knoxville, TN |
| ABCWATE-TVABC | 6 | 19 mi | 141° SE | Strong | Knoxville, TN |
| NBCWBIR-TVNBC | 10 | 19 mi | 141° SE | Good | Knoxville, TN |
| IONWPXK-TVION | 54 | 19 mi | 141° SE | Strong | Jellico, TN |
Over-the-air TV in Rocky Top
With roughly 1,780 residents, Rocky Top is a small community in Tennessee. Our map shows 25 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 9 low-power and 5 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 13 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Four of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Knoxville, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Knoxville's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 6 (WATE-TV), CBS on channel 8 (WVLT-TV), NBC on channel 10 (WBIR-TV), Fox on channel 43 (WTNZ), CW on channel 20 (WBXX-TV) and ION on channel 54 (WPXK-TV). 5 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 Rocky Top
Point your antenna SE, at about 143°. The main network towers for Rocky Top sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Five network stations, WTNZ, WVLT-TV, WATE-TV, WBIR-TV and WPXK-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 19 miles southeast of Rocky Top (144° SE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Rocky Top at fair strength or better, 83% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Rocky Top, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Rocky Top
The farthest main network tower for Rocky Top is WBIR-TV (NBC), 19 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.
WBXX-TV is only 13 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 Rocky Top
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W19FF-DLow power | 19 mi | 144° SE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| WKOP-TVFull power | 19 mi | 144° SE | Good | Knoxville, TN |
| WDTT-LDLow power | 19 mi | 144° SE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| WKXT-LDLow power | 19 mi | 144° SE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| W30EG-DLow power | 19 mi | 144° SE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| WEZK-LDLow power | 19 mi | 139° SE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| WKNX-TVFull power | 19 mi | 139° SE | Good | Knoxville, TN |
| WVLRFull power | 29 mi | 84° E | Good | Tazewell, TN |
| WJDP-LDLow power | 39 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Pigeon Forge, TN |
| WWWB-LDLow power | 52 mi | 252° WSW | Poor | Clarkrange, TN |
| WVTN-LDLow power | 53 mi | 1° N | Poor | Corbin, KY |
| WETP-TVFull power | 55 mi | 78° ENE | Good | Sneedville, TN |
| WCTEFull power | 66 mi | 268° W | Fair | Cookeville, TN |
| W35DZ-DLow power | 66 mi | 268° W | Poor | Cookeville, TN |
| W30DX-DTranslator | 67 mi | 146° SSE | Poor | Bryson City, Etc, NC |
| W10AL-DTranslator | 68 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Cherokee, Etc., NC |
| W14EG-DTranslator | 69 mi | 163° SSE | Poor | Robbinsville, Etc, NC |
| W20EK-DTranslator | 69 mi | 163° SSE | Poor | Andrews, Etc, NC |
| W08AT-DTranslator | 69 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Cherokee, NC |
How Rocky Top compares with the rest of Tennessee
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Rocky Top ranks 120th of 299 places in Tennessee: more than the typical Tennessee town (15). Its nearest major network tower is 13 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.
31% of Tennessee's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Oak Ridge, 16 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Rocky Top: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 141° SE, the direction of WBIR-TV (NBC), 19 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 Rocky Top, TN?
ABC is on channel 6 from WATE-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SE of Rocky Top. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Rocky Top, TN?
CBS is on channel 8 from WVLT-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SE of Rocky Top. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Rocky Top, TN?
NBC is on channel 10 from WBIR-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SE of Rocky Top. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Rocky Top, TN?
Fox is on channel 43 from WTNZ, broadcasting from 19 miles SE of Rocky Top. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Rocky Top, TN?
CW is on channel 20 from WBXX-TV, broadcasting from 13 miles SW of Rocky Top. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Rocky Top?
25 transmitters within 70 miles of Rocky Top; around 16 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 Rocky Top?
Point your antenna SE, at about 143°. The main network towers for Rocky Top sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Rocky Top?
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 Rocky Top?
WBXX-TV is only 13 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 Rocky Top?
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
- Clinton8.0 mi
- LaFollette12 mi
- Oak Ridge16 mi
- Maynardville20 mi
- Knoxville22 mi
- Farragut23 mi
- Mascot25 mi
- Jellico26 mi
- Wartburg26 mi
- Oneida28 mi
- Lenoir City30 mi
- Harriman30 mi
- Kingston31 mi
- Alcoa31 mi
- Eagleton Village32 mi
- Seymour33 mi
- Maryville34 mi
- New Tazewell35 mi
- Loudon35 mi
- Rutledge36 mi
- Tellico Village37 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Tennessee · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Rocky Top; signal estimates ignore terrain.