What channel is PBS on antenna in Atlanta?
PBS is channel 8.1 (WGTV).
It broadcasts on RF 7 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put PBS on WGTV within antenna reach of about 91% of people in the Atlanta market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 0% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.
Updated from FCC data
Lost PBS? Rescan your TV first
Most missing channels come back after a Rescan Asking your TV to search for channels again. Fixes most missing channels. More in the glossary . If PBS still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WGTV tower and handle VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary .
Where PBS 8.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WGTV RF 7 · VHF
WGTV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for PBS around Atlanta
Aim at the WGTV tower . It stands apart from the main tower site, so it may need its own aim.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County unified government (balance), GA | west-southwest (258°) | 46 mi |
| South Fulton, GA | east-northeast (65°) | 28 mi |
| Sandy Springs, GA | southeast (124°) | 16 mi |
| Johns Creek, GA | south-southeast (168°) | 16 mi |
| Mableton, GA | east (91°) | 25 mi |
| Marietta, GA | east-southeast (114°) | 25 mi |
| Peachtree City, GA | northeast (41°) | 38 mi |
| Stockbridge, GA | north-northeast (15°) | 20 mi |
The antenna you need for PBS in Atlanta
PBS reaches ordinary TVs on VHF, so choose an antenna rated for VHF as well as UHF; many flat indoor antennas are weak on VHF. Close to the towers an indoor antenna by a window often works; farther out, height matters most: attic beats window, roof beats attic.
The best antenna for all of Atlanta · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
If 8.1 doesn't come in
PBS is also on:
- 30.1 WABE-TV
Other networks in Atlanta
Questions about PBS in Atlanta
What channel is PBS on antenna in Atlanta?
Why did PBS 8.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for PBS in Atlanta?
Where this comes from
- Stations, towers, channels and power: FCC Licensing and Management System (LMS) public database, data of .
- Networks and subchannels: our affiliations dataset, built from Wikipedia (used under CC BY-SA 4.0), the network field stations file with the FCC, and station websites; checked . Credits.
- Towns and distances: US Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 city population estimates (SUB-EST2025) and 2026 Gazetteer place coordinates; distances are straight-line from each town's Census centre point.
- Market area: Market area: counties assigned by FCC service-contour coverage of each market's full-power stations (FCC LMS market list, Census 2020).
Updated How we work this out