TV channels & antenna towers in Winchester, Virginia
Winchester has 41 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDVM-TV, 18 miles to the SSE.
Network channels in Winchester
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWWPX-TVION | 60 | 21 mi | 80° E | Fair | Martinsburg, WV |
| FOXWTTGFox | 5 | 59 mi | 105° ESE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| IONWPXW-TVION | 66 | 59 mi | 105° ESE | Fair | Manassas, VA |
| ABCWJLA-TVABC | 7 | 60 mi | 105° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| PBSWHUT-TVPBS | 32 | 60 mi | 105° ESE | Weak | Washington, DC |
| CBSWUSACBS | 9 | 60 mi | 105° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| PBSWETA-TVPBS | 26 | 60 mi | 105° ESE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| CWWDCWCW | 50 | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Good | Washington, DC |
| NBCWRC-TVNBC | 4 | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| TLMWZDC-CDTelemundo | 44 | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| UNIWFDC-DTUnivision | 14 | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Weak | Arlington, VA |
| MeTVWDME-CDMeTV | 48.1 | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| CWWSVW-LDCW | 30.2 | 64 mi | 211° SSW | Poor | Harrisonburg, VA |
| FOXWSVF-CDFox | 43 | 64 mi | 211° SSW | Poor | Harrisonburg, VA |
Over-the-air TV in Winchester
With roughly 27,300 residents, Winchester is a town in Virginia. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 41 licensed TV transmitters: 17 full-power, 6 Class A, 10 low-power and 8 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 4 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 30 farther out. Nine of the 14 network stations in range are licensed to Washington, DC, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Washington's stations.
The strongest network signals here 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 60 (WWPX-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 (fair signal) and Univision (weak signal). 7 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 Winchester
Point your antenna ESE, at about 105°. The main network towers for Winchester sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
11 network stations, WTTG, WPXW-TV, WJLA-TV, WHUT-TV and WUSA and others, transmit from the same tower site about 59 miles east of Winchester (105° ESE). 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 Winchester at fair strength or better, all arrive from the east, so this is an easy place to aim.
WJLA-TV (ABC), WUSA (CBS), WRC-TV (NBC), WTTG (Fox) and WETA-TV (PBS) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Winchester. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Winchester
The farthest main network tower for Winchester is WRC-TV (NBC), 60 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Winchester
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDVM-TVFull power | 18 mi | 155° SSE | Strong | Hagerstown, MD |
| WVPYFull power | 18 mi | 210° SSW | Good | New Market, VA |
| W08EE-DTranslator | 20 mi | 16° NNE | Weak | Martinsburg, WV |
| W21DZ-DTranslator | 31 mi | 287° WNW | Weak | Romney, WV |
| WWPBFull power | 34 mi | 18° NNE | Good | Hagerstown, MD |
| W33EJ-DTranslator | 42 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W27EI-DTranslator | 42 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W29DH-DTranslator | 42 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W24ES-DTranslator | 42 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| W22CV-DTranslator | 42 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Moorefield, WV |
| WFPTFull power | 46 mi | 83° E | Weak | Frederick, MD |
| W16DT-DLow power | 51 mi | 286° WNW | Poor | Keyser, WV |
| WDCN-LDLow power | 55 mi | 113° ESE | Poor | Fairfax, VA |
| WDWA-LDLow power | 59 mi | 93° E | Poor | Damascus, VA |
| WDCAFull power | 59 mi | 105° ESE | Fair | Washington, DC |
| WJALFull power | 60 mi | 105° ESE | Poor | Silver Spring, MD |
| WMDO-CDClass A | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| WRZB-LDLow power | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| WWTD-LDLow power | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| WDCO-CDClass A | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Poor | Woodstock, VA |
| WIAV-CDClass A | 60 mi | 106° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| WDDN-LDLow power | 61 mi | 102° ESE | Poor | Washington, DC |
| W13DV-DLow power | 61 mi | 172° S | Poor | Rapidan, VA |
| WGPTFull power | 62 mi | 284° WNW | Weak | Oakland, MD |
| W25FE-DLow power | 63 mi | 20° NNE | Poor | Chambersburg, PA |
How Winchester compares with the rest of Virginia
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Winchester ranks 271st of 381 places in Virginia: fewer than the typical Virginia town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 21 miles away, against a state median of 21 miles.
31% of Virginia's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Frederick, 43 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Winchester: step by step
- Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
- Point it toward 106° ESE, the direction of WRC-TV (NBC), 60 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 11 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 Winchester, VA?
ABC is on channel 7 from WJLA-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles ESE of Winchester. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is CBS in Winchester, VA?
CBS is on channel 9 from WUSA, broadcasting from 60 miles ESE of Winchester. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is NBC in Winchester, VA?
NBC is on channel 4 from WRC-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles ESE of Winchester. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Winchester, VA?
Fox is on channel 5 from WTTG, broadcasting from 59 miles ESE of Winchester. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is PBS in Winchester, VA?
PBS is on channel 26 from WETA-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles ESE of Winchester. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Winchester?
41 transmitters within 70 miles of Winchester; around 11 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Winchester?
Point your antenna ESE, at about 105°. The main network towers for Winchester sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Winchester?
Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Winchester?
At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Winchester?
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
- Shawnee Land9.8 mi
- Berryville10.0 mi
- Strasburg17 mi
- Front Royal19 mi
- Purcellville24 mi
- Marshall28 mi
- Woodstock28 mi
- Leesburg32 mi
- Washington33 mi
- Belmont36 mi
- Brambleton36 mi
- Broadlands36 mi
- New Baltimore37 mi
- Ashburn38 mi
- Warrenton38 mi
- Luray39 mi
- South Riding40 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Charles Town, WV18 mi
- Martinsburg, WV22 mi
- Brunswick, MD30 mi
- Romney, WV34 mi
- Hancock, MD35 mi
- Halfway, MD37 mi
- Hagerstown, MD39 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 Winchester; signal estimates ignore terrain.