What channel is CBS on antenna in Chattanooga?
CBS is channel 12.1 (WDEF-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 8 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put CBS on WDEF-TV within antenna reach of about 86% of people in the Chattanooga 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 CBS? 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 CBS still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WDEF-TV 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 CBS 12.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WDEF-TV RF 8 · VHF
WDEF-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for CBS around Chattanooga
Aim at the WDEF-TV tower . It stands apart from the main tower site, so it may need its own aim.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, TN | west (263°) | 26 mi |
| Dalton, GA | northwest (322°) | 32 mi |
| Athens, TN | west-southwest (241°) | 46 mi |
| Soddy-Daisy, TN | southwest (224°) | 12 mi |
| Fort Oglethorpe, GA | north-northwest (343°) | 15 mi |
| Signal Mountain, TN | east-southeast (121°) | 1 mi |
| Jasper, TN | east-northeast (74°) | 18 mi |
The antenna you need for CBS in Chattanooga
CBS 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 Chattanooga · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
More free channels from WDEF-TV
- 12.2 Bounce TV
- 12.3 Ion Mystery
- 12.4 Grit
- 12.5 Court TV
- 12.6 Laff
Other networks in Chattanooga
Questions about CBS in Chattanooga
What channel is CBS on antenna in Chattanooga?
Why did CBS 12.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for CBS in Chattanooga?
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