Antenna TV channels in Charlotte
21 stations broadcast free TV around Charlotte, carrying 41 channels including Subchannel An extra channel a station sends alongside its main one, like 2.2 or 2.3. More in the glossary . The full-power stations transmit from several sites, so the direction to aim depends on where you live.
Updated from FCC data
How well antenna TV works around Charlotte
For the big networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS) that reach each home, an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 81% of people in the Charlotte market; about 18% need an attic or roof antenna, and for about 1% reception depends on the exact spot. A typical home gets about 57 free channels from 20 stations, some from neighbouring markets.
Estimates from our terrain predictions for an antenna about 30 ft up, adjusted for indoor use. They are not yet checked against real channel scans; VHF channels never count as indoor. How we work it out
Each network's reach
| Network | Reaches | Indoor likely |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | 91% | 81% |
| CBS | 96% | 91% |
| NBC | 94% | 91% |
| FOX | 95% | 92% |
| PBS | 98% | 95% |
| The CW | 97% | 91% |
| Univision | 0% | 0% |
| Telemundo | 90% | 80% |
Share of the market's 3,383k people, across its 196 ZIP codes.
Town by town
| Town | Antenna | Point | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte ZIP 28204 | Indoor likely | west-northwest (297°, most) | 43 |
| Concord ZIP 28027 | Indoor likely | west (264°, most) | 66 |
| Gastonia ZIP 28052 | Indoor likely | north-northeast (18°, most) | 46 |
| Rock Hill ZIP 29733 | Indoor likely | north-northwest (345°, most) | 129 |
| Huntersville ZIP 28078 | Indoor likely | west-southwest (257°, most) | 62 |
| Kannapolis ZIP 28081 | Indoor likely | west-southwest (252°, most) | 64 |
| Mooresville ZIP 28115 | Indoor likely | southwest (234°, most) | 64 |
| Hickory ZIP 28601 | Attic or outdoor | south-southeast (157°, most) | 48 |
| Indian Trail ZIP 28079 | Indoor likely | west-northwest (303°, most) | 73 |
| Monroe ZIP 28110 | Indoor likely | northwest (316°, most) | 73 |
| Fort Mill ZIP 29715 | Indoor likely | north-northwest (329°, most) | 41 |
| Salisbury ZIP 28144 | Indoor likely | east-northeast (70°, most) | 72 |
| Cornelius ZIP 28031 | Indoor likely | west-southwest (244°, most) | 78 |
| Matthews ZIP 28105 | Indoor likely | west-northwest (303°, most) | 58 |
| Statesville ZIP 28677 | Indoor likely | south-southwest (208°, most) | 72 |
For the ZIP nearest each town's centre. Tap a town for its full channel list.
What channel is each network on in Charlotte?
| Network | Channel | Station |
|---|---|---|
 CBS | 3.1 | WBTV |
 NBC | 36.1 | WCNC-TV |
 ABC | 9.1 | WSOC-TV |
 FOX | 46.1 | WJZY |
 PBS | 17.2 also 30.1, 42.1, 58.1 | WUNE-TV |
 The CW | 55.1 | WMYT-TV |
 Telemundo | 9.2 | WSOC-TV |
The best TV antenna for Charlotte
Get an antenna rated for both VHF and UHF. Across most of the area an indoor antenna is likely enough (about 81% of people, by our estimate); farther out, use an attic or roof antenna.
- 1 channels reach ordinary TVs only on VHF (WTVI), and many flat indoor antennas are weak on VHF.
- The towers are spread out, so a wide-beam (multi-directional) antenna is safer than a narrow directional one.
Not sure about VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary and UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary ? See the glossary. Any brand of the right type will do.
Which way to point your antenna from Concord, Gastonia, Rock Hill and nearby
Aim at the main tower site ( and others). From the largest towns around Charlotte:
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Concord, NC | south-southwest (197°) | 10 mi |
| Gastonia, NC | east (90°) | 28 mi |
| Rock Hill, SC | northeast (41°) | 29 mi |
| Huntersville, NC | southeast (136°) | 15 mi |
| Hickory, NC | southeast (133°) | 49 mi |
| Indian Trail, NC | north (351°) | 13 mi |
| Mint Hill, NC | north-northwest (340°) | 5 mi |
| Waxhaw, NC | north (8°) | 22 mi |
11 full-power stations transmit from elsewhere: WCCB (3 mi away), WAXN-TV (2 mi away), WSOC-TV (2 mi away), WTVI (3 mi away), WUNG-TV (9 mi away), WJZY (28 mi away), WMYT-TV (28 mi away), WCNC-TV (28 mi away), WBTV (29 mi away), WNSC-TV (34 mi away), WUNE-TV (86 mi away). If you live near one of them, it may need a separate aim.
Where the Charlotte TV towers are
Map of 13 tower sites around Charlotte. The list below has every site.
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3 stations · 9 mi east-northeast of the centre
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3 stations · 21 mi west-northwest of the centre
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2 stations · 3 mi west-southwest of the centre
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2 stations · 7 mi east-northeast of the centre
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2 stations · 52 mi northwest of the centre
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2 stations · 73 mi west-northwest of the centre
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1 station · 7 mi northeast of the centre
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1 station · 9 mi northeast of the centre
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1 station · 16 mi northeast of the centre
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1 station · 21 mi west-northwest of the centre
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1 station · 23 mi west-northwest of the centre
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1 station · 28 mi south-southwest of the centre
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1 station · 82 mi northwest of the centre
NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Charlotte
One station (WAXN-TV) now sends the newer NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) A newer broadcast format. Older TVs can't decode it, so stations also send the old format from a partner station. More in the glossary format. Older TVs can't decode it, so stations share: each channel that moved is also sent in the old format by a partner station (a Lighthouse (channel sharing) One station switches to NextGen TV and carries other stations' 3.0 versions; partners carry its old-format version. More in the glossary arrangement). Your TV shows the same number; at most you need a Rescan Asking your TV to search for channels again. Fixes most missing channels. More in the glossary .
WAXN-TV sends NextGen TV on RF 32
Our data lists no channels of its own on the NextGen signal yet.
Every Charlotte station and subchannel
Including Class A and low-power stations Smaller stations with a shorter range than full-power ones. More in the glossary stations.
Full power (11)
- WBTV Charlotte, NC · UHF
- 3.1 CBS
- 3.2 Bounce TV
- 3.3 365BLK
- 3.4 Ion Plus
- 3.5 Oxygen
- WSOC-TV Charlotte, NC · UHF
- 9.1 ABC
- 9.2 Telemundo
- 9.3 Great
- 9.4 Comet
- WUNE-TV Linville, NC · UHF
- 17.1 The Explorer Channel
- 17.2 PBS
- WCCB Charlotte, NC · UHF
- 18.1 Independent
- 18.2 Start TV
- 18.3 MeTV
- 18.4 QVC
- 18.5 Heroes & Icons
- 18.6 Dabl
- 18.7 HSN
- 18.8 Cozi TV
- 18.9 MeTV Toons
- 18.10 Newsmax2
- WNSC-TV Rock Hill, SC · UHF
- 30.1 PBS (SCETV)
- 30.2 South Carolina Channel (midnight to 8 p.m.)
- 30.3 ETV World
- 30.4 ETV Kids
- WCNC-TV Charlotte, NC · UHF
- 36.1 NBC
- 36.2 True Crime Network
- 36.3 Court TV
- 36.4 Quest
- 36.5 The Nest
- WTVI Charlotte, NC · VHF
- 42.1 PBS
- WJZY Belmont, NC · UHF
- 46.1 Fox
- 46.3 Charge!
- 46.4 Grit
- 46.5 Shop LC
- 46.6 Ion
- 46.7 Antenna TV
- 46.8 Rewind TV
- WMYT-TV Rock Hill, SC · UHF
- 55.1 The CW
- WUNG-TV Concord, NC · UHF
- 58.1 PBS
- WAXN-TV Kannapolis, NC · UHF · NextGen TV
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Class A (2)
Low power (3)
Translator (5)
- W15DY-D Marion, Etc., NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W17EY-D Charlotte, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W22FB-D Marion, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W26FA-D Marion, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W34FH-D Marion, Etc., NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Questions about antenna TV in Charlotte
What channels are CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX on antenna in Charlotte?
What local channels can I get with an antenna in Charlotte?
What is the best TV antenna for Charlotte?
Which way should I point my antenna in Charlotte?
Do I need a new TV for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Charlotte?
For the curious: tower and licence details
- W15EB-D · facility 67022 · RF 15 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-04-13
- WVEB-LD · facility 182013 · RF 22 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 5 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2019-10-17 · newer construction permit granted
- WCCB · facility 49157 · RF 18 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 963 kW · HAAT 364 m · licensed 2020-01-21
- WAXN-TV · facility 12793 · RF 32 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 200 kW · HAAT 372 m · licensed 2024-07-17 · reduced power
- WSOC-TV · facility 74070 · RF 19 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 356 m · licensed 2021-06-07
- WHEH-LD · facility 184549 · RF 26 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 10 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2019-05-31
- W17EY-D · facility 67967 · RF 17 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-01-25
- WDMC-LD · facility 67836 · RF 20 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 8 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2021-10-27
- WTVI · facility 10645 · RF 9 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 2.57 kW · HAAT 359 m · licensed 2020-07-13 · newer construction permit granted
- WUNG-TV · facility 69124 · RF 21 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 260 kW · HAAT 416.7 m · licensed 2020-05-07
- WGTB-CD · facility 70097 · RF 27 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-08-21 · newer construction permit granted
- WJZY · facility 73152 · RF 25 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 553.5 m · licensed 2021-06-07
- WMYT-TV · facility 20624 · RF 25 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 553.5 m · licensed 2019-09-20
- WCNC-TV · facility 32326 · RF 24 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 857 kW · HAAT 592.2 m · licensed 2021-06-07 · newer construction permit granted
- WBTV · facility 30826 · RF 23 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 565 m · licensed 2021-06-07
- WNSC-TV · facility 61009 · RF 34 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 209.9 m · licensed 2020-02-18 · newer construction permit granted
- W34FH-D · facility 66386 · RF 34 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 11.5 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2019-10-21
- W26FA-D · facility 53891 · RF 26 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 14 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2019-07-12
- W15DY-D · facility 56542 · RF 15 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 0.25 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-07-31
- W22FB-D · facility 168595 · RF 22 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 9 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-06-26
- WUNE-TV · facility 69114 · RF 36 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 546.9 m · licensed 2020-04-08
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.
- Reception: Reception predictions over USGS terrain for every ZIP, FCC data 2026-11-03 00:00:00 (model 2026-11-11.4)
- 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