TV channels & antenna towers in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWBT (NBC), 4.0 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Richmond
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWWBTNBC | 12 | 4.0 mi | 216° SW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| FOXWRLH-TVFox | 35 | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| CBSWTVR-TVCBS | 6 | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| TLMWZTD-LDTelemundo | 45 | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| ABCWRIC-TVABC | 8 | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Petersburg, VA |
| IONWFWG-LDION | 30.4 | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| CWWUPVCW | 65 | 17 mi | 41° NE | Good | Ashland, VA |
| CWWVIR-TVCW | 29.3 | 63 mi | 298° WNW | Weak | Charlottesville, VA |
| CWWVIR-CDCW | 29.3 | 63 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Charlottesville, VA |
| FOXWCAVFox | 27.2 | 63 mi | 298° WNW | Weak | Charlottesville, VA |
| ABCWVAW-LDABC | 16 | 63 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Charlottesville, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Richmond
With roughly 220,000 residents, Richmond is a city in Virginia. Our map shows 21 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 12 full-power, 3 Class A and 6 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.
13 of them are within 25 miles of Richmond, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 8 are more than 45 miles out. Richmond is a broadcast hub in its own right: five of the 11 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations 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 Richmond
Point your antenna WSW, at about 242°. The main network towers for Richmond 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 8.2 miles west of Richmond (250° WSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Richmond at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Richmond, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Richmond
The farthest main network tower for Richmond is WRLH-TV (Fox), 8.2 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
WWBT is only 4.0 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 Richmond
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 | 4.0 mi | 216° SW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WCVE-TVFull power | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| WCVWFull power | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Richmond, VA |
| WNVTFull power | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Strong | Spotsylvania, VA |
| WUDW-LDLow power | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| WWBK-LDLow power | 8.2 mi | 250° WSW | Good | Richmond, VA |
| W13DV-DLow power | 60 mi | 331° NNW | Poor | Rapidan, VA |
| WAHU-LDClass A | 63 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Crozet, VA |
| WHTJFull power | 63 mi | 298° WNW | Weak | Charlottesville, VA |
| WNVCFull power | 63 mi | 298° WNW | Weak | Culpeper, VA |
How Richmond compares with the rest of Virginia
With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Richmond ranks 216th of 381 places in Virginia: fewer than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 4.0 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 Richmond: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 250° WSW, the direction of WRLH-TV (Fox), 8.2 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 13 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 Richmond, VA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WRIC-TV, broadcasting from 8.2 miles WSW of Richmond. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Richmond, VA?
CBS is on channel 6 from WTVR-TV, broadcasting from 8.2 miles WSW of Richmond. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Richmond, VA?
NBC is on channel 12 from WWBT, broadcasting from 4.0 miles SW of Richmond. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Richmond, VA?
Fox is on channel 35 from WRLH-TV, broadcasting from 8.2 miles WSW of Richmond. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Richmond, VA?
CW is on channel 65 from WUPV, broadcasting from 17 miles NE of Richmond. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Richmond?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Richmond; around 13 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 Richmond?
Point your antenna WSW, at about 242°. The main network towers for Richmond sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Richmond?
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 Richmond?
WWBT is only 4.0 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 Richmond?
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
- East Highland Park3.5 mi
- Lakeside3.8 mi
- Dumbarton3.9 mi
- Montrose5.0 mi
- Chamberlayne5.3 mi
- Bon Air5.7 mi
- Tuckahoe5.8 mi
- Mechanicsville6.1 mi
- Laurel6.7 mi
- Highland Springs7.3 mi
- Meadowbrook7.3 mi
- Bensley7.4 mi
- Fort Lee7.9 mi
- Glen Allen8.2 mi
- Sandston8.2 mi
- Bellwood9.2 mi
- Short Pump11 mi
- Wyndham13 mi
- Brandermill13 mi
- Chester14 mi
- Ashland14 mi
- Woodlake15 mi
- Hopewell20 mi
- Colonial Heights20 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 Richmond; signal estimates ignore terrain.