TV stations in Virginia

Virginia has 71 licensed TV transmitters: 33 full-power, 14 Class A, 20 low-power and 4 translator stations. Translators make up 6% of the total, below the national share of 41%, a sign that most people live within reach of the main towers.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Roanoke (5), Richmond (5), Charlottesville (5) and Norfolk (4). Those cities are where the main broadcast hubs sit, and most viewers aim their antennas toward one of them.

The most powerful full-power transmitter in Virginia is WRIC-TV (ABC) in Petersburg, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is WCYB-TV near Bristol, 755 m (2,477 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 381 cities and towns in Virginia. A typical place gets 16 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 21 miles away. 33% of places can use an indoor antenna, 36% need an amplified or attic antenna, 31% an outdoor directional antenna and 0% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 98%, CBS 94%, NBC 93% and Fox 60%.

Ashburn has the most stations in reach (33). Chase City is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 68 miles away.