TV channels & antenna towers in Burlington, Vermont
Burlington has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W29EW-D, 12 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Burlington
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWPTZNBC | 5 | 20 mi | 80° E | Strong | Plattsburgh, NY |
| CWWNNECW | 31 | 20 mi | 80° E | Strong | Montpelier, VT |
| CBSWCAX-TVCBS | 3 | 20 mi | 80° E | Good | Burlington, VT |
| FOXWFFF-TVFox | 44 | 20 mi | 80° E | Good | Burlington, VT |
| ABCWVNYABC | 22 | 20 mi | 80° E | Fair | Burlington, VT |
Over-the-air TV in Burlington
With roughly 42,500 residents, Burlington is a town in Vermont. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 13 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power and 4 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 8 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 4 farther out. Burlington is a broadcast hub in its own right: three of the 5 network stations in range are licensed here.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 22 (WVNY), CBS on channel 3 (WCAX-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WPTZ), Fox on channel 44 (WFFF-TV) and CW on channel 31 (WNNE). 4 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 Burlington
Point your antenna E, at about 80°. The main network towers for Burlington sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Five network stations, WPTZ, WNNE, WCAX-TV, WFFF-TV and WVNY, transmit from the same tower site about 20 miles east of Burlington (80° E). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Burlington at fair strength or better, all arrive from the east, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Burlington, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Burlington
The farthest main network tower for Burlington is WFFF-TV (Fox), 20 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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 Burlington
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W29EW-DTranslator | 12 mi | 246° WSW | Weak | Willsboro, NY |
| W25BT-DTranslator | 18 mi | 166° SSE | Weak | Monkton, VT |
| WETKFull power | 20 mi | 80° E | Good | Burlington, VT |
| WCFE-TVFull power | 36 mi | 295° WNW | Fair | Plattsburgh, NY |
| WYCIFull power | 46 mi | 259° WSW | Poor | Saranac Lake, NY |
| W23EU-DTranslator | 64 mi | 171° S | Poor | Rutland, VT |
| WVTBFull power | 65 mi | 84° E | Fair | St. Johnsbury, VT |
| W25AT-DTranslator | 66 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Tupper Lake, NY |
How Burlington compares with the rest of Vermont
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Burlington ranks 26th of 82 places in Vermont: the same as the typical Vermont town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 20 miles away, against a state median of 40 miles.
54% of Vermont's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Burlington: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 80° E, the direction of WFFF-TV (Fox), 20 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 Burlington, VT?
ABC is on channel 22 from WVNY, broadcasting from 20 miles E of Burlington. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Burlington, VT?
CBS is on channel 3 from WCAX-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles E of Burlington. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Burlington, VT?
NBC is on channel 5 from WPTZ, broadcasting from 20 miles E of Burlington. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Burlington, VT?
Fox is on channel 44 from WFFF-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles E of Burlington. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Burlington, VT?
CW is on channel 31 from WNNE, broadcasting from 20 miles E of Burlington. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Burlington?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of Burlington; around 8 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Burlington?
Point your antenna E, at about 80°. The main network towers for Burlington sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Burlington?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Burlington?
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 Burlington?
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 Vermont cities
- Winooski1.7 mi
- South Burlington2.1 mi
- Essex Junction5.1 mi
- Colchester5.7 mi
- Williston7.6 mi
- Saint Albans24 mi
- Waterbury24 mi
- North Hero25 mi
- Morristown30 mi
- Middlebury (village)32 mi
- Montpelier35 mi
- Barre40 mi
- Hardwick42 mi
- Richford45 mi
- Randolph47 mi
- Brandon47 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Keeseville, NY13 mi
- Plattsburgh, NY19 mi
- Dannemora, NY30 mi
- Mineville, NY30 mi
- Rouses Point, NY37 mi
- North Elba, NY40 mi
- Ticonderoga, NY45 mi
- Saranac Lake, NY46 mi
More: all TV stations in Vermont · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Burlington; signal estimates ignore terrain.