TV channels & antenna towers in Ashland, Virginia
Ashland has 21 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 WUPV (CW), 12 miles to the E.
Network channels in Ashland
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWUPVCW | 65 | 12 mi | 95° E | Good | Ashland, VA |
| NBCWWBTNBC | 12 | 18 mi | 184° S | Good | Richmond, VA |
| FOXWRLH-TVFox | 35 | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| CBSWTVR-TVCBS | 6 | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| TLMWZTD-LDTelemundo | 45 | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| ABCWRIC-TVABC | 8 | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Strong | Petersburg, VA |
| IONWFWG-LDION | 30.4 | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| FOXWCAVFox | 27.2 | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Charlottesville, VA |
| ABCWVAW-LDABC | 16 | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Poor | Charlottesville, VA |
| CWWVIR-CDCW | 29.3 | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Poor | Charlottesville, VA |
| CWWVIR-TVCW | 29.3 | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Weak | Charlottesville, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Ashland
With roughly 7,500 residents, Ashland is a town in Virginia. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 21 licensed TV transmitters: 12 full-power, 3 Class A and 6 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
13 of them are within 25 miles of Ashland, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 8 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Richmond, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Richmond's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 8 (WRIC-TV), CBS on channel 6 (WTVR-TV), NBC on channel 12 (WWBT), Fox on channel 35 (WRLH-TV), CW on channel 65 (WUPV), ION on channel 30.4 (WFWG-LD) and Telemundo on channel 45 (WZTD-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 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 Ashland
Point your antenna SSW, at about 197°. The main network towers for Ashland sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WRLH-TV, WTVR-TV and WRIC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 18 miles south of Ashland (201° SSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Ashland at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Ashland, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Ashland
The farthest main network tower for Ashland is WRLH-TV (Fox), 18 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Ashland
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WRID-LDLow power | 18 mi | 184° S | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| WCVE-TVFull power | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WCVWFull power | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WNVTFull power | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Good | Spotsylvania, VA |
| WUDW-LDLow power | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| WWBK-LDLow power | 18 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| W13DV-DLow power | 48 mi | 323° NW | Poor | Rapidan, VA |
| WAHU-LDClass A | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Poor | Crozet, VA |
| WHTJFull power | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Charlottesville, VA |
| WNVCFull power | 57 mi | 286° WNW | Fair | Culpeper, VA |
How Ashland compares with the rest of Virginia
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Ashland ranks 169th of 381 places in Virginia: the same as the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 12 miles away, against a state median of 21 miles.
33% of Virginia's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Short Pump, 10 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Ashland: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 201° SSW, the direction of WRLH-TV (Fox), 18 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 Ashland, VA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WRIC-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles SSW of Ashland. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Ashland, VA?
CBS is on channel 6 from WTVR-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles SSW of Ashland. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Ashland, VA?
NBC is on channel 12 from WWBT, broadcasting from 18 miles S of Ashland. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Ashland, VA?
Fox is on channel 35 from WRLH-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles SSW of Ashland. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Ashland, VA?
CW is on channel 65 from WUPV, broadcasting from 12 miles E of Ashland. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Ashland?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Ashland; 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 Ashland?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 197°. The main network towers for Ashland sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Ashland?
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 Ashland?
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 Ashland?
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 Virginia cities
- Glen Allen6.6 mi
- Laurel8.2 mi
- Wyndham8.4 mi
- Chamberlayne9.6 mi
- Short Pump10 mi
- Lakeside10 mi
- Dumbarton11 mi
- Mechanicsville12 mi
- Tuckahoe12 mi
- East Highland Park13 mi
- Richmond14 mi
- Bon Air17 mi
- Highland Springs17 mi
- Montrose17 mi
- Sandston19 mi
- Central Garage19 mi
- Fort Lee20 mi
- Bowling Green21 mi
- Meadowbrook21 mi
- Bensley22 mi
- Goochland23 mi
- Bellwood23 mi
- Brandermill24 mi
- Woodlake26 mi
More: all TV stations in Virginia · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Ashland; signal estimates ignore terrain.