TV channels & antenna towers in Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk has 23 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, ION and Trinity. About 21 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WVAD-LD, 2.5 miles to the S.

Open Norfolk in the live finder

23TV transmitters within 70 miles

6networks over the air

2.5 mito the closest tower

246,393population

Network channels in Norfolk

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
IONWPXV-TVION	49	10 mi	258° WSW	Strong	Norfolk, VA
ABCWVECABC	13	10 mi	258° WSW	Strong	Hampton, VA
CBSWTKRCBS	3	12 mi	258° WSW	Strong	Norfolk, VA
TBNWTPC-TVTrinity	21	12 mi	258° WSW	Good	Virginia Beach, VA
CWWNLO-CDCW	23	13 mi	262° W	Good	Norfolk, VA
CWWVBTCW	43.2	13 mi	262° W	Strong	Virginia Beach, VA
NBCWAVY-TVNBC	10	13 mi	262° W	Strong	Portsmouth, VA

Over-the-air TV in Norfolk

With roughly 246,000 residents, Norfolk is a city in Virginia. Our map shows 23 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 5 Class A and 7 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 21 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 18 at good or strong strength.

20 of them are within 25 miles of Norfolk, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are more than 45 miles out. Norfolk is a broadcast hub in its own right: three of the 7 network stations in range are licensed here.

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, 86 miles to the northwest. 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 Norfolk

Point your antenna W, at about 259°. The main network towers for Norfolk 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 10 miles west of Norfolk (258° WSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Norfolk at fair strength or better, all arrive from the west, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Norfolk

The farthest main network tower for Norfolk is WAVY-TV (NBC), 13 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.

WVAD-LD is only 2.5 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 Norfolk

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WVAD-LDLow power	2.5 mi	177° S	Strong	Chesapeake, VA
WGBS-LDLow power	3.9 mi	285° WNW	Good	Carrollton, VA
WJGN-CDClass A	3.9 mi	285° WNW	Good	Chesapeake, VA
WMTO-LDLow power	10 mi	256° WSW	Fair	Norfolk, VA
W26EV-DLow power	10 mi	258° WSW	Good	Portsmouth, VA
WJHJ-LDLow power	10 mi	258° WSW	Good	Newport News, Etc., VA
WYSJ-CDClass A	10 mi	258° WSW	Good	Yorktown, VA
WGNTFull power	12 mi	258° WSW	Strong	Portsmouth, VA
WHRO-TVFull power	12 mi	258° WSW	Strong	Hampton-Norfolk, VA
WTVZ-TVFull power	12 mi	258° WSW	Strong	Norfolk, VA
WITD-CDClass A	13 mi	262° W	Fair	Chesapeake, VA
WKTD-CDClass A	13 mi	262° W	Fair	Portsmouth, VA
WSKY-TVFull power	23 mi	183° S	Good	Manteo, NC
W18BB-DLow power	39 mi	174° S	Poor	Elizabeth City, NC
W15DO-DLow power	57 mi	202° SSW	Poor	Norfolk, VA
WUND-TVFull power	65 mi	183° S	Good	Edenton, NC

How Norfolk compares with the rest of Virginia

With 21 stations at fair strength or better, Norfolk ranks 105th of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 10 miles away, against a state median of 21 miles.

33% of Virginia's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.

Setting up an antenna in Norfolk: step by step

Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
Point it toward 262° W, the direction of WAVY-TV (NBC), 13 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 21 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 Norfolk, VA?

ABC is on channel 13 from WVEC, broadcasting from 10 miles WSW of Norfolk. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Norfolk, VA?

CBS is on channel 3 from WTKR, broadcasting from 12 miles WSW of Norfolk. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Norfolk, VA?

NBC is on channel 10 from WAVY-TV, broadcasting from 13 miles W of Norfolk. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Norfolk, VA?

CW is on channel 43.2 from WVBT, broadcasting from 13 miles W of Norfolk. Estimated signal: strong.

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

23 transmitters within 70 miles of Norfolk; around 21 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 Norfolk?

Point your antenna W, at about 259°. The main network towers for Norfolk sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Norfolk?

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 Norfolk?

WVAD-LD is only 2.5 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 Norfolk?

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 Norfolk; signal estimates ignore terrain.