TV channels & antenna towers in Mathews, Virginia
Mathews has 27 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, ION and Trinity. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WGBS-LD, 40 miles to the S.
Network channels in Mathews
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWPXV-TVION | 49 | 44 mi | 191° S | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| ABCWVECABC | 13 | 44 mi | 191° S | Good | Hampton, VA |
| CWWNLO-CDCW | 23 | 44 mi | 194° SSW | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| CWWVBTCW | 43.2 | 44 mi | 194° SSW | Good | Virginia Beach, VA |
| NBCWAVY-TVNBC | 10 | 44 mi | 194° SSW | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
| CBSWTKRCBS | 3 | 45 mi | 193° SSW | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| TBNWTPC-TVTrinity | 21 | 45 mi | 193° SSW | Fair | Virginia Beach, VA |
| CWWUPVCW | 65 | 55 mi | 293° WNW | Weak | Ashland, VA |
| NBCWWBTNBC | 12 | 65 mi | 275° W | Poor | Richmond, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Mathews
Mathews is a small community of about 555 people in Virginia. There are 27 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 12 full-power, 6 Class A, 7 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 19 between 25 and 45 miles, and 8 farther out. Three of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to Norfolk, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Norfolk's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 13 (WVEC), CBS on channel 3 (WTKR), NBC on channel 10 (WAVY-TV), CW on channel 43.2 (WVBT), ION on channel 49 (WPXV-TV) and Trinity on channel 21 (WTPC-TV). No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WRLH-TV in Richmond, VA, 70 miles to the west. 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 Mathews
Point your antenna SSW, at about 193°. The main network towers for Mathews sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, WPXV-TV, WVEC, WTKR and WTPC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 44 miles south of Mathews (191° S). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Mathews at fair strength or better, all arrive from the south, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Mathews, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Mathews
The farthest main network tower for Mathews is WTKR (CBS), 45 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 Mathews
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WGBS-LDLow power | 40 mi | 183° S | Poor | Carrollton, VA |
| WJGN-CDClass A | 40 mi | 183° S | Weak | Chesapeake, VA |
| WVAD-LDLow power | 43 mi | 177° S | Poor | Chesapeake, VA |
| WJHJ-LDLow power | 44 mi | 191° S | Poor | Newport News, Etc., VA |
| WYSJ-CDClass A | 44 mi | 191° S | Poor | Yorktown, VA |
| W26EV-DLow power | 44 mi | 191° S | Poor | Portsmouth, VA |
| WITD-CDClass A | 44 mi | 194° SSW | Poor | Chesapeake, VA |
| WKTD-CDClass A | 44 mi | 194° SSW | Poor | Portsmouth, VA |
| WMTO-LDLow power | 44 mi | 190° S | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| WGNTFull power | 45 mi | 193° SSW | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
| WHRO-TVFull power | 45 mi | 193° SSW | Good | Hampton-Norfolk, VA |
| WTVZ-TVFull power | 45 mi | 193° SSW | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| W18EG-DTranslator | 50 mi | 55° NE | Poor | Onancock, VA |
| W25AA-DTranslator | 50 mi | 55° NE | Poor | Onancock, VA |
| WPMC-CDClass A | 50 mi | 55° NE | Poor | Mappsville, VA |
| WRUE-LDLow power | 59 mi | 38° NE | Poor | Salisbury, MD |
| WSKY-TVFull power | 63 mi | 179° S | Weak | Manteo, NC |
| WRID-LDLow power | 65 mi | 275° W | Poor | Richmond, VA |
How Mathews compares with the rest of Virginia
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Mathews ranks 321st of 381 places in Virginia: fewer than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 44 miles away, against a state median of 21 miles.
36% of Virginia's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Newport News, 26 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Mathews: 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 193° SSW, the direction of WTKR (CBS), 45 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 9 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 Mathews, VA?
ABC is on channel 13 from WVEC, broadcasting from 44 miles S of Mathews. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Mathews, VA?
CBS is on channel 3 from WTKR, broadcasting from 45 miles SSW of Mathews. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Mathews, VA?
NBC is on channel 10 from WAVY-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles SSW of Mathews. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Mathews, VA?
CW is on channel 43.2 from WVBT, broadcasting from 44 miles SSW of Mathews. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Mathews?
27 transmitters within 70 miles of Mathews; around 9 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 Mathews?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 193°. The main network towers for Mathews sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Mathews?
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 Mathews?
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 Mathews?
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
- Deltaville8.2 mi
- Gloucester Courthouse11 mi
- Gloucester Point16 mi
- Saluda19 mi
- Kilmarnock19 mi
- Cape Charles20 mi
- Poquoson22 mi
- Williamsburg24 mi
- Newport News26 mi
- West Point27 mi
- East Hampton28 mi
- Exmore28 mi
- Hampton28 mi
- Heathsville34 mi
- Surry35 mi
- Smithfield36 mi
- New Kent37 mi
- Onancock37 mi
- Norfolk41 mi
- Portsmouth42 mi
- Charles City42 mi
- Portsmouth Heights43 mi
- Chesapeake43 mi
- Virginia Beach45 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 Mathews; signal estimates ignore terrain.