TV channels & antenna towers in McLean, Virginia

McLean has 44 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 32 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WTTG (Fox), 4.4 miles to the ENE.

Open McLean in the live finder

44TV transmitters within 70 miles

10networks over the air

4.4 mito the closest tower

48,115population

Network channels in McLean

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWTTGFox	5	4.4 mi	62° ENE	Strong	Washington, DC
IONWPXW-TVION	66	4.4 mi	62° ENE	Strong	Manassas, VA
CWWDCWCW	50	5.2 mi	86° E	Strong	Washington, DC
NBCWRC-TVNBC	4	5.2 mi	86° E	Strong	Washington, DC
TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo	44	5.2 mi	86° E	Strong	Washington, DC
UNIWFDC-DTUnivision	14	5.2 mi	86° E	Strong	Arlington, VA
MeTVWDME-CDMeTV	48.1	5.2 mi	86° E	Good	Washington, DC
ABCWJLA-TVABC	7	5.4 mi	78° ENE	Strong	Washington, DC
PBSWHUT-TVPBS	32	5.4 mi	78° ENE	Strong	Washington, DC
CBSWUSACBS	9	5.4 mi	78° ENE	Strong	Washington, DC
PBSWETA-TVPBS	26	5.4 mi	78° ENE	Strong	Washington, DC
IONWWPX-TVION	60	38 mi	304° WNW	Weak	Martinsburg, WV
CBSWJZ-TVCBS	13	40 mi	45° NE	Fair	Baltimore, MD
ABCWMAR-TVABC	2	40 mi	45° NE	Good	Baltimore, MD
NBCWBAL-TVNBC	11	40 mi	45° NE	Fair	Baltimore, MD
CWWNUVCW	54	40 mi	45° NE	Good	Baltimore, MD
FOXWBFFFox	45	40 mi	45° NE	Good	Baltimore, MD

Over-the-air TV in McLean

McLean is a town of about 48,100 people in Virginia. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 44 licensed TV transmitters: 25 full-power, 6 Class A, 12 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 32 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 27 at good or strong strength.

22 of them are within 25 miles of McLean, 12 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 10 are more than 45 miles out. Nine of the 17 network stations in range are licensed to Washington, DC, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Washington's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (WJLA-TV), CBS on channel 9 (WUSA), NBC on channel 4 (WRC-TV), Fox on channel 5 (WTTG), PBS on channel 26 (WETA-TV), CW on channel 50 (WDCW), ION on channel 66 (WPXW-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WZDC-CD), Univision on channel 14 (WFDC-DT) and MeTV on channel 48.1 (WDME-CD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 10 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 McLean

Point your antenna ENE, at about 76°. The main network towers for McLean sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

11 network stations, WTTG, WPXW-TV, WDCW, WRC-TV and WZDC-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 4.4 miles northeast of McLean (62° ENE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach McLean at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from McLean, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for McLean

The farthest main network tower for McLean is WETA-TV (PBS), 5.4 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.

WTTG is only 4.4 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 McLean

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 27; see all in the finder.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WDCAFull power	4.4 mi	62° ENE	Strong	Washington, DC
WDCN-LDLow power	4.8 mi	211° SSW	Good	Fairfax, VA
WMDO-CDClass A	5.2 mi	86° E	Good	Washington, DC
WRZB-LDLow power	5.2 mi	86° E	Good	Washington, DC
WWTD-LDLow power	5.2 mi	86° E	Good	Washington, DC
WDCO-CDClass A	5.2 mi	86° E	Good	Woodstock, VA
WIAV-CDClass A	5.2 mi	86° E	Strong	Washington, DC
WJALFull power	5.4 mi	78° ENE	Strong	Silver Spring, MD
WDDN-LDLow power	7.9 mi	55° NE	Good	Washington, DC
WDWA-LDLow power	15 mi	23° NNE	Weak	Damascus, VA
WFPTFull power	24 mi	342° NNW	Good	Frederick, MD
W10DE-DLow power	26 mi	81° E	Weak	Washington, DC
WMPTFull power	31 mi	80° E	Good	Annapolis, MD
WQAW-LDLow power	31 mi	80° E	Weak	Lake Shore, MD
WUTBFull power	40 mi	45° NE	Good	Baltimore, MD
WMPBFull power	41 mi	31° NNE	Fair	Baltimore, MD
WMJF-CDClass A	45 mi	43° NE	Poor	Towson, MD
WDVM-TVFull power	46 mi	272° W	Good	Hagerstown, MD
WLZH-LDLow power	52 mi	39° NE	Poor	Baltimore, MD
W13DW-DLow power	58 mi	88° E	Poor	Annapolis, MD
WMDEFull power	58 mi	88° E	Poor	Dover, DE
W08EE-DTranslator	60 mi	308° NW	Poor	Martinsburg, WV
W13DV-DLow power	62 mi	226° SW	Poor	Rapidan, VA
WVPYFull power	62 mi	272° W	Fair	New Market, VA
W14DK-DLow power	64 mi	108° ESE	Poor	Dagsboro, DE

How McLean compares with the rest of Virginia

With 32 stations at fair strength or better, McLean ranks 14th of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 4.4 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 Arlington, 5.4 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in McLean: step by step

Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
Point it toward 78° ENE, the direction of WETA-TV (PBS), 5.4 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 32 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 McLean, VA?

ABC is on channel 7 from WJLA-TV, broadcasting from 5.4 miles ENE of McLean. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in McLean, VA?

CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 5.4 miles ENE of McLean. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in McLean, VA?

NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 5.2 miles E of McLean. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in McLean, VA?

Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 4.4 miles ENE of McLean. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is PBS in McLean, VA?

PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 5.4 miles ENE of McLean. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in McLean?

44 transmitters within 70 miles of McLean; around 32 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 McLean?

Point your antenna ENE, at about 76°. The main network towers for McLean sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in McLean?

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 McLean?

WTTG is only 4.4 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 McLean?

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

Nearby cities in other states

More: all TV stations in Virginia · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of McLean; signal estimates ignore terrain.