TV channels & antenna towers in Glen Allen, Virginia
Glen Allen 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 WWBT (NBC), 11 miles to the S.
Network channels in Glen Allen
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWWBTNBC | 12 | 11 mi | 179° S | Good | Richmond, VA |
| FOXWRLH-TVFox | 35 | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| CBSWTVR-TVCBS | 6 | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| TLMWZTD-LDTelemundo | 45 | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| ABCWRIC-TVABC | 8 | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Strong | Petersburg, VA |
| IONWFWG-LDION | 30.4 | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| CWWUPVCW | 65 | 15 mi | 69° ENE | Good | Ashland, VA |
| FOXWCAVFox | 27.2 | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Fair | Charlottesville, VA |
| ABCWVAW-LDABC | 16 | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Poor | Charlottesville, VA |
| CWWVIR-CDCW | 29.3 | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Poor | Charlottesville, VA |
| CWWVIR-TVCW | 29.3 | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Weak | Charlottesville, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Glen Allen
Glen Allen is a city of about 14,800 people 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 11 at good or strong strength.
13 of them are within 25 miles of Glen Allen, 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 (good 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 Glen Allen
Point your antenna SSW, at about 199°. The main network towers for Glen Allen 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 12 miles southwest of Glen Allen (206° SSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Glen Allen at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across three other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Glen Allen, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Glen Allen
The farthest main network tower for Glen Allen is WRLH-TV (Fox), 12 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
WRLH-TV is only 12 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 Glen Allen
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 | 11 mi | 179° S | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WCVE-TVFull power | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| WCVWFull power | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WNVTFull power | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Strong | Spotsylvania, VA |
| WUDW-LDLow power | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Fair | Richmond, VA |
| WWBK-LDLow power | 12 mi | 206° SSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| W13DV-DLow power | 52 mi | 329° NNW | Poor | Rapidan, VA |
| WAHU-LDClass A | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Poor | Crozet, VA |
| WHTJFull power | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Fair | Charlottesville, VA |
| WNVCFull power | 58 mi | 293° WNW | Fair | Culpeper, VA |
How Glen Allen compares with the rest of Virginia
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Glen Allen ranks 169th of 381 places in Virginia: the same as the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 11 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 Tuckahoe, 5.9 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Glen Allen: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 206° SSW, the direction of WRLH-TV (Fox), 12 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 Glen Allen, VA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WRIC-TV, broadcasting from 12 miles SSW of Glen Allen. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Glen Allen, VA?
CBS is on channel 6 from WTVR-TV, broadcasting from 12 miles SSW of Glen Allen. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Glen Allen, VA?
NBC is on channel 12 from WWBT, broadcasting from 11 miles S of Glen Allen. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Glen Allen, VA?
Fox is on channel 35 from WRLH-TV, broadcasting from 12 miles SSW of Glen Allen. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Glen Allen, VA?
CW is on channel 65 from WUPV, broadcasting from 15 miles ENE of Glen Allen. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Glen Allen?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Glen Allen; 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 Glen Allen?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 199°. The main network towers for Glen Allen sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Glen Allen?
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 Glen Allen?
WRLH-TV is only 12 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 Glen Allen?
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
- Laurel1.6 mi
- Lakeside4.3 mi
- Dumbarton4.4 mi
- Chamberlayne5.1 mi
- Short Pump5.9 mi
- Tuckahoe5.9 mi
- Wyndham6.2 mi
- Ashland6.6 mi
- East Highland Park8.0 mi
- Richmond8.2 mi
- Mechanicsville8.3 mi
- Bon Air10 mi
- Montrose12 mi
- Highland Springs13 mi
- Sandston14 mi
- Fort Lee15 mi
- Meadowbrook15 mi
- Bensley16 mi
- Bellwood17 mi
- Brandermill18 mi
- Woodlake19 mi
- Goochland21 mi
- Central Garage21 mi
- Chester22 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 Glen Allen; signal estimates ignore terrain.