TV channels & antenna towers in Salem, West Virginia

Salem, West Virginia has a population of about 1,550. There are 31 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 8 full-power, 2 Class A, 19 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 12 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 16 farther out. Three of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Parkersburg, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Parkersburg's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 12.2 (WBOY-TV), CBS on channel 5 (WDTV), NBC on channel 15 (WTAP-TV) and CW on channel 10.2 (WVFX). No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WTOV-TV in Steubenville, OH, 73 miles to the north. 3 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Point your antenna E, at about 87°. The main network towers for Salem sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Three network stations, WVFX, WDTV and WBOY-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 12 miles east of Salem (84° E). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Salem at fair strength or better, 75% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for Salem is WBOY-TV (ABC), 12 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WTAP-TV (NBC), 54 miles west, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

WDTV is only 12 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.

With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Salem ranks 111th of 163 places in West Virginia: fewer than the typical West Virginia town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 12 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.

55% of West Virginia's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Morgantown, 40 miles away.