TV channels & antenna towers in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach has 23 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, CW, ION and Trinity. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WVAD-LD, 17 miles to the W.
Network channels in Virginia Beach
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWPXV-TVION | 49 | 27 mi | 265° W | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| ABCWVECABC | 13 | 27 mi | 265° W | Good | Hampton, VA |
| CBSWTKRCBS | 3 | 29 mi | 264° W | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| TBNWTPC-TVTrinity | 21 | 29 mi | 264° W | Good | Virginia Beach, VA |
| CWWNLO-CDCW | 23 | 30 mi | 266° W | Fair | Norfolk, VA |
| CWWVBTCW | 43.2 | 30 mi | 266° W | Good | Virginia Beach, VA |
| NBCWAVY-TVNBC | 10 | 30 mi | 266° W | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Virginia Beach
With roughly 453,000 residents, Virginia Beach 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, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 18 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 best-placed network stations 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, 100 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 Virginia Beach
Point your antenna W, at about 265°. The main network towers for Virginia Beach 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 27 miles west of Virginia Beach (265° W). 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Virginia Beach
The farthest main network tower for Virginia Beach is WAVY-TV (NBC), 30 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
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 Virginia Beach
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 | 17 mi | 260° W | Fair | Chesapeake, VA |
| WGBS-LDLow power | 21 mi | 272° W | Fair | Carrollton, VA |
| WJGN-CDClass A | 21 mi | 272° W | Fair | Chesapeake, VA |
| WMTO-LDLow power | 27 mi | 264° W | Weak | Norfolk, VA |
| W26EV-DLow power | 27 mi | 265° W | Fair | Portsmouth, VA |
| WJHJ-LDLow power | 27 mi | 265° W | Fair | Newport News, Etc., VA |
| WYSJ-CDClass A | 27 mi | 265° W | Fair | Yorktown, VA |
| WGNTFull power | 29 mi | 264° W | Good | Portsmouth, VA |
| WHRO-TVFull power | 29 mi | 264° W | Good | Hampton-Norfolk, VA |
| WTVZ-TVFull power | 29 mi | 264° W | Good | Norfolk, VA |
| WSKY-TVFull power | 29 mi | 218° SW | Fair | Manteo, NC |
| WITD-CDClass A | 30 mi | 266° W | Weak | Chesapeake, VA |
| WKTD-CDClass A | 30 mi | 266° W | Fair | Portsmouth, VA |
| W18BB-DLow power | 42 mi | 198° SSW | Poor | Elizabeth City, NC |
| W15DO-DLow power | 66 mi | 216° SW | Poor | Norfolk, VA |
| WUND-TVFull power | 69 mi | 197° SSW | Fair | Edenton, NC |
How Virginia Beach compares with the rest of Virginia
With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Virginia Beach ranks 130th of 381 places in Virginia: more than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 27 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.
Setting up an antenna in Virginia Beach: 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 266° W, the direction of WAVY-TV (NBC), 30 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 19 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 Virginia Beach, VA?
ABC is on channel 13 from WVEC, broadcasting from 27 miles W of Virginia Beach. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Virginia Beach, VA?
CBS is on channel 3 from WTKR, broadcasting from 29 miles W of Virginia Beach. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Virginia Beach, VA?
NBC is on channel 10 from WAVY-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles W of Virginia Beach. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Virginia Beach, VA?
CW is on channel 43.2 from WVBT, broadcasting from 30 miles W of Virginia Beach. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Virginia Beach?
23 transmitters within 70 miles of Virginia Beach; around 19 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 Virginia Beach?
Point your antenna W, at about 265°. The main network towers for Virginia Beach sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
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
- Chesapeake17 mi
- Norfolk17 mi
- Portsmouth18 mi
- Portsmouth Heights22 mi
- East Hampton23 mi
- Hampton24 mi
- Poquoson28 mi
- Cape Charles29 mi
- Newport News31 mi
- Carrollton33 mi
- Eastville35 mi
- Suffolk35 mi
- South Suffolk35 mi
- Smithfield37 mi
- Yorktown40 mi
- Gloucester Point40 mi
- Windsor42 mi
- Exmore48 mi
- Gloucester Courthouse49 mi
- Williamsburg50 mi
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 Virginia Beach; signal estimates ignore terrain.