TV channels & antenna towers in South Charleston, West Virginia

South Charleston has 31 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W27EF-D, 2.4 miles to the E.

31TV transmitters within 70 miles
6networks over the air
2.4 mito the closest tower
13,045population

Network channels in South Charleston

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
ABCWCHS-TVABC8 11 mi284° WNW StrongCharleston, WV
CBSWOWK-TVCBS13 29 mi289° WNW FairHuntington, WV
IONWLPX-TVION29 29 mi289° WNW GoodCharleston, WV
NBCWSAZ-TVNBC3 30 mi289° WNW GoodHuntington, WV
CWWQCWCW30 30 mi289° WNW GoodPortsmouth, OH
ABCWOAY-TVABC4 41 mi133° SE GoodOak Hill, WV
FOXWVNS-TVFox59.2 68 mi127° SE WeakLewisburg, WV
NBCWTAP-TVNBC15 68 mi6° N PoorParkersburg, WV
CWWOVA-CDCW22.2 68 mi6° N PoorParkersburg, WV
CBSWIYE-LDCBS26 68 mi6° N PoorParkersburg, WV

Over-the-air TV in South Charleston

With roughly 13,000 residents, South Charleston is a city in West Virginia. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 31 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 1 Class A, 13 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.

4 of them are within 25 miles of South Charleston, 9 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 18 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Parkersburg, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Parkersburg's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 8 (WCHS-TV), CBS on channel 13 (WOWK-TV), NBC on channel 3 (WSAZ-TV), Fox on channel 59.2 (WVNS-TV), CW on channel 30 (WQCW) and ION on channel 29 (WLPX-TV). 6 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 South Charleston

Point your antenna WNW, at about 287°. The main network towers for South Charleston sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Four network stations, WOWK-TV, WLPX-TV, WSAZ-TV and WQCW, transmit from the same tower site about 29 miles west of South Charleston (289° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach South Charleston at fair strength or better, 83% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for South Charleston

The farthest main network tower for South Charleston is WSAZ-TV (NBC), 30 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WVNS-TV (Fox), 68 miles southeast, 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.

WVAH-TV is only 11 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 South Charleston

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
W27EF-DLow power2.4 mi 79° EGoodCharleston, WV
WOCW-LDLow power8.2 mi 329° NNWGoodCharleston, WV
WVAH-TVFull power11 mi 284° WNWStrongCharleston, WV
WVPB-TVFull power28 mi 288° WNWFairHuntington, WV
WHWV-LDTranslator33 mi 274° WWeakHuntington, WV
W26EW-DLow power38 mi 276° WWeakHuntington, WV
WTSFFull power38 mi 276° WWeakAshland, KY
W03BX-DLow power48 mi 91° EPoorSutton, WV
W04DZ-DLow power48 mi 91° EPoorSutton, WV
W18FB-DLow power48 mi 91° EPoorSutton, WV
WZTS-LDLow power50 mi 127° SEPoorSummersville, WV
WKASFull power50 mi 278° WWeakAshland, KY
WSWP-TVFull power51 mi 130° SEFairGrandview, WV
W32FD-DTranslator53 mi 250° WSWPoorLouisa, KY
WHJC-LPLow power54 mi 212° SSWPoorWilliamson, WV
W25FX-DLow power57 mi 69° ENEPoorSutton, WV
W28DR-DTranslator61 mi 66° ENEPoorCedarville, WV
W34FE-DLow power63 mi 14° NNEPoorParkersburg, WV
WVMY-LDLow power68 mi 9° NPoorParkersburg, WV
W21EA-DLow power68 mi 6° NPoorParkersburg, WV
WOUB-TVFull power70 mi 340° NNWPoorAthens, OH

How South Charleston compares with the rest of West Virginia

With 11 stations at fair strength or better, South Charleston ranks 75th of 163 places in West Virginia: the same as the typical West Virginia town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 11 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 Charleston, 3.8 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in South Charleston: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 289° WNW, the direction of WSAZ-TV (NBC), 30 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. 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.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in South Charleston, WV?

ABC is on channel 8 from WCHS-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles WNW of South Charleston. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in South Charleston, WV?

CBS is on channel 13 from WOWK-TV, broadcasting from 29 miles WNW of South Charleston. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in South Charleston, WV?

NBC is on channel 3 from WSAZ-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles WNW of South Charleston. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in South Charleston, WV?

Fox is on channel 59.2 from WVNS-TV, broadcasting from 68 miles SE of South Charleston. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is CW in South Charleston, WV?

CW is on channel 30 from WQCW, broadcasting from 30 miles WNW of South Charleston. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in South Charleston?

31 transmitters within 70 miles of South Charleston; around 11 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 South Charleston?

Point your antenna WNW, at about 287°. The main network towers for South Charleston sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in South Charleston?

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. Picking up Fox from up to 68 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in South Charleston?

WVNS-TV (Fox), 68 miles southeast, 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.

Is there an app to find TV towers in South Charleston?

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 West Virginia cities

More: all TV stations in West Virginia · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of South Charleston; signal estimates ignore terrain.