TV channels & antenna towers in Suffolk, Virginia
Suffolk 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 WGNT, 7.2 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Suffolk
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSWTKRCBS | 3 | 7.2 mi | 39° NE | Strong | Norfolk, VA |
| TBNWTPC-TVTrinity | 21 | 7.2 mi | 39° NE | Strong | Virginia Beach, VA |
| CWWNLO-CDCW | 23 | 7.6 mi | 33° NNE | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| CWWVBTCW | 43.2 | 7.6 mi | 33° NNE | Strong | Virginia Beach, VA |
| NBCWAVY-TVNBC | 10 | 7.6 mi | 33° NNE | Strong | Portsmouth, VA |
| IONWPXV-TVION | 49 | 8.9 mi | 47° NE | Strong | Norfolk, VA |
| ABCWVECABC | 13 | 8.9 mi | 47° NE | Strong | Hampton, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Suffolk
Suffolk, Virginia has a population of about 88,200. There are 23 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 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 16 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 20 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther out. Three of the 7 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, 78 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 Suffolk
Point your antenna NE, at about 39°. The main network towers for Suffolk sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Seven network stations, WTKR, WTPC-TV, WNLO-CD, WVBT and WAVY-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 7.2 miles northeast of Suffolk (39° NE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Suffolk at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Suffolk, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Suffolk
The farthest main network tower for Suffolk is WVEC (ABC), 8.9 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.
WGNT is only 7.2 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 Suffolk
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WGNTFull power | 7.2 mi | 39° NE | Strong | Portsmouth, VA |
| WHRO-TVFull power | 7.2 mi | 39° NE | Strong | Hampton-Norfolk, VA |
| WTVZ-TVFull power | 7.2 mi | 39° NE | Strong | Norfolk, VA |
| WITD-CDClass A | 7.6 mi | 33° NNE | Fair | Chesapeake, VA |
| WKTD-CDClass A | 7.6 mi | 33° NNE | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
| WYSJ-CDClass A | 8.9 mi | 47° NE | Good | Yorktown, VA |
| WJHJ-LDLow power | 8.9 mi | 47° NE | Good | Newport News, Etc., VA |
| W26EV-DLow power | 8.9 mi | 47° NE | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
| WMTO-LDLow power | 8.9 mi | 50° NE | Fair | Norfolk, VA |
| WGBS-LDLow power | 16 mi | 54° NE | Fair | Carrollton, VA |
| WJGN-CDClass A | 16 mi | 54° NE | Fair | Chesapeake, VA |
| WVAD-LDLow power | 18 mi | 71° ENE | Fair | Chesapeake, VA |
| WSKY-TVFull power | 21 mi | 133° SE | Good | Manteo, NC |
| W18BB-DLow power | 37 mi | 146° SE | Weak | Elizabeth City, NC |
| W15DO-DLow power | 45 mi | 185° S | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| WUND-TVFull power | 59 mi | 167° SSE | Good | Edenton, NC |
How Suffolk compares with the rest of Virginia
With 21 stations at fair strength or better, Suffolk ranks 105th of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 7.2 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 Chesapeake, 18 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Suffolk: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 47° NE, the direction of WVEC (ABC), 8.9 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 Suffolk, VA?
ABC is on channel 13 from WVEC, broadcasting from 8.9 miles NE of Suffolk. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Suffolk, VA?
CBS is on channel 3 from WTKR, broadcasting from 7.2 miles NE of Suffolk. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Suffolk, VA?
NBC is on channel 10 from WAVY-TV, broadcasting from 7.6 miles NNE of Suffolk. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Suffolk, VA?
CW is on channel 43.2 from WVBT, broadcasting from 7.6 miles NNE of Suffolk. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Suffolk?
23 transmitters within 70 miles of Suffolk; 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 Suffolk?
Point your antenna NE, at about 39°. The main network towers for Suffolk sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Suffolk?
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 Suffolk?
WGNT is only 7.2 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 Suffolk?
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
- South Suffolk0.8 mi
- Windsor10 mi
- Portsmouth Heights14 mi
- Portsmouth18 mi
- Smithfield18 mi
- Chesapeake18 mi
- Norfolk18 mi
- Franklin19 mi
- Hampton25 mi
- Newport News25 mi
- East Hampton26 mi
- Poquoson30 mi
- Surry31 mi
- Virginia Beach35 mi
- Waverly35 mi
- Gloucester Point37 mi
- Williamsburg38 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Gatesville, NC24 mi
- Moyock, NC27 mi
- Murfreesboro, NC35 mi
- Elizabeth City, NC35 mi
- Currituck, NC37 mi
- Ahoskie, NC38 mi
- Hertford, NC38 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 Suffolk; signal estimates ignore terrain.