Antenna TV channels in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News
31 stations broadcast free TV around Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News, carrying 46 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 Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News
For the big networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS) that reach each home, an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 92% of people in the Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News market; about 8% need an attic or roof antenna. A typical home gets about 50 free channels from 21 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 | 99% | 94% |
| CBS | 99+% | 94% |
| NBC | 99% | 93% |
| FOX | 99% | 92% |
| PBS | 99+% | 99% |
| The CW | 99% | 91% |
| Telemundo | 2% | 0% |
Share of the market's 2,033k people, across its 220 ZIP codes.
Town by town
| Town | Antenna | Point | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach ZIP 23460 | Indoor likely | west (271°) | 50 |
| Chesapeake ZIP 23322 | Indoor likely | west-northwest (300°) | 50 |
| Norfolk ZIP 23503 | Indoor likely | west-southwest (237°) | 50 |
| Newport News ZIP 23606 | Indoor likely | south (181°) | 84 |
| Hampton ZIP 23664 | Indoor likely | southwest (214°) | 59 |
| Suffolk ZIP 23434 | Indoor likely | northeast (42°) | 50 |
| Portsmouth ZIP 23703 | Indoor likely | west-southwest (239°) | 59 |
| Elizabeth City ZIP 27909 | Indoor likely | north-northwest (339°, most) | 50 |
| Williamsburg ZIP 23185 | Indoor likely | south-southeast (159°) | 83 |
| Poquoson ZIP 23662 | Indoor likely | south-southwest (196°) | 76 |
| Smithfield ZIP 23430 | Indoor likely | south-southeast (150°) | 84 |
| Franklin ZIP 23851 | Indoor likely | east-northeast (68°) | 68 |
| Kill Devil Hills ZIP 27948 | Roof | northwest (321°, most) | 46 |
| Emporia ZIP 23847 | Roof | east (81°, most) | 90 |
| Ahoskie ZIP 27910 | Attic or outdoor | northeast (36°, most) | 62 |
For the ZIP nearest each town's centre. Tap a town for its full channel list.
What channel is each network on in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News?
| Network | Channel | Station |
|---|---|---|
 CBS | 3.1 | WTKR |
 ABC | 13.1 | WVEC |
 PBS | 2.1 also 15.1 | WUND-TV |
 The CW | 43.2 | WNLO-CD |
 MyNetworkTV | 33.1 | WTVZ-TV |
 ION | 49.1 | WPXV-TV |
The best TV antenna for Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News
Get an antenna rated for both VHF and UHF. Across most of the area an indoor antenna is likely enough (about 92% of people, by our estimate); farther out, use an attic or roof antenna.
- 8 channels reach ordinary TVs only on VHF (WSKY-TV, WTPC-TV), 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 Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News and nearby
Aim at the main tower site ( and others). From the largest towns around Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News:
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | south-southeast (161°) | 67 mi |
| Chesapeake, VA | south-southeast (147°) | 67 mi |
| Newport News, VA | south-southeast (150°) | 97 mi |
| Hampton, VA | south-southeast (156°) | 89 mi |
| Suffolk, VA | southeast (136°) | 79 mi |
| Smithfield, VA | southeast (145°) | 94 mi |
11 full-power stations transmit from elsewhere: WVEC (80 mi away), WPXV-TV (80 mi away), WTPC-TV (81 mi away), WTVZ-TV (81 mi away), WGNT (81 mi away), WHRO-TV (81 mi away), WTKR (81 mi away), WAVY-TV (82 mi away), WVBT (82 mi away), WSKY-TV (58 mi away), WUND-TV (39 mi away). If you live near one of them, it may need a separate aim.
Where the Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News TV towers are
Map of 15 tower sites around Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News. The list below has every site.
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6 stations · 80 mi south-southeast of the centre
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5 stations · 16 mi west-southwest of the centre
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5 stations · 16 mi west-southwest of the centre
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3 stations · 14 mi west-southwest of the centre
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2 stations · 7 mi southwest of the centre
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1 station · 14 mi west-southwest of the centre
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1 station · 28 mi south of the centre
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1 station · 71 mi south of the centre
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1 station · 74 mi north-northeast of the centre
NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News
2 stations (WMTO-LD, WNLO-CD) now send 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 .
WMTO-LD sends NextGen TV on RF 6
Our data lists no channels of its own on the NextGen signal yet.
Every Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News 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)
- WUND-TV Edenton, NC · UHF
- 2.1 PBS
- WTKR Norfolk, VA · UHF
- 3.1 CBS
- 3.2 Court TV
- 3.3 Bounce TV
- 3.4 HSN
- 3.5 QVC
- WSKY-TV Manteo, NC · VHF
- 4.1 Independent
- 4.2 Start TV
- 4.3 Movies!
- 4.4 Buzzr
- 4.5 Catchy Comedy
- 4.6 MeTV Toons
- 4.7 MovieSphere Gold
- WAVY-TV Portsmouth, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Its signal also carries 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 for partner stations.
- WVEC Hampton, VA · UHF
- 13.1 ABC
- WHRO-TV Hampton-Norfolk, VA · UHF
- 15.1 PBS
- 15.2 World Channel
- 15.3 PBS Kids
- 15.4 Create
- 15.5 First Nations Experience
- WTPC-TV Virginia Beach, VA · VHF
- 21.1 TBN
- WGNT Portsmouth, VA · UHF
- 27.1 Independent
- 27.2 Ion Mystery
- 27.3 Grit
- 27.4 Dabl
- 27.5 QVC2
- 27.6 HSN2
- WTVZ-TV Norfolk, VA · UHF
- 33.1 MyNetworkTV
- 33.2 Charge!
- 33.3 Comet
- 33.4 Roar
- WVBT Virginia Beach, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Its signal also carries 43.1, 43.2, 43.3, 43.4 for partner stations.
- WPXV-TV Norfolk, VA · UHF
- 49.1 Ion Television
- 49.2 Laff
- 49.3 Ion Mystery
- 49.4 Ion Plus
- 49.5 Busted
- 49.6 Game Show Central
- 49.7 QVC
- 49.8 HSN
Class A (6)
- WITD-CD Chesapeake, VA · UHF
- 10.1 Independent · on WAVY-TV's signal
- 10.2 The Nest · on WKTD-CD's signal
- 10.3 Great · on WAVY-TV's signal
- 10.4 Defy · on WAVY-TV's signal
- WKTD-CD Portsmouth, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Its signal also carries 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 for partner stations.
- WNLO-CD Norfolk, VA · UHF · NextGen TV
- 43.1 Independent · on WVBT's signal
- 43.2 The CW · on WVBT's signal
- 43.3 Antenna TV · on WVBT's signal
- 43.4 Cozi TV · on WVBT's signal
- WPMC-CD Mappsville, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Its signal also carries 43.1, 43.2, 43.3, 43.4 for partner stations.
- WJGN-CD Chesapeake, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WYSJ-CD Yorktown, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Low power (14)
- W15DO-D Sussex County, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W17CT-D Manteo, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W18BB-D Elizabeth City, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W22EN-D Manteo, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W24EC-D Manteo, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W26EV-D Portsmouth, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W26EY-D Manteo, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W28CJ-D Manteo, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W30DN-D Manteo, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WGBS-LD Carrollton, VA · VHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WHOB-LD Buxton, NC · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WJHJ-LD Newport News, Etc., VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WMTO-LD Norfolk, VA · VHF · NextGen TV
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WVAD-LD Chesapeake, VA · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Questions about antenna TV in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News
What channels are CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX on antenna in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News?
What local channels can I get with an antenna in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News?
What is the best TV antenna for Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News?
Which way should I point my antenna in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News?
Do I need a new TV for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News?
For the curious: tower and licence details
- WJGN-CD · facility 66549 · RF 27 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 12 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2023-03-13
- WGBS-LD · facility 31350 · RF 12 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 2.7 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-02-02
- WVAD-LD · facility 586 · RF 25 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2013-01-23
- WMTO-LD · facility 127802 · RF 6 (VHF-low) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 3 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2021-07-16
- W26EV-D · facility 49409 · RF 26 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-01-16
- WVEC · facility 74167 · RF 35 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 363.9 m · licensed 2024-11-07
- WPXV-TV · facility 67077 · RF 32 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 865 kW · HAAT 347.7 m · licensed 2020-05-14
- WJHJ-LD · facility 35137 · RF 34 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2024-12-16
- WYSJ-CD · facility 35134 · RF 36 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2026-03-16
- WTPC-TV · facility 82574 · RF 7 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 85 kW · HAAT 310 m · licensed 2017-02-14
- WTVZ-TV · facility 40759 · RF 33 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 375.3 m · licensed 2025-06-06
- WGNT · facility 9762 · RF 20 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 570 kW · HAAT 375 m · licensed 2020-07-24 · newer construction permit granted
- WHRO-TV · facility 25932 · RF 31 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 375.3 m · licensed 2020-09-01
- WTKR · facility 47401 · RF 16 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 610 kW · HAAT 375 m · licensed 2020-07-24 · newer construction permit granted
- WNLO-CD · facility 13060 · RF 14 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-11-09
- WAVY-TV · facility 71127 · RF 19 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 280.4 m · licensed 2020-11-09
- WITD-CD · facility 71119 · RF 23 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1.48 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2015-05-21
- WVBT · facility 65387 · RF 21 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 850 kW · HAAT 300 m · licensed 2020-11-09
- WKTD-CD · facility 71121 · RF 17 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 14.35 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2005-03-21
- WSKY-TV · facility 76324 · RF 13 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 70 kW · HAAT 306 m · licensed 2020-07-13
- W18BB-D · facility 19250 · RF 18 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2025-07-30
- W15DO-D · facility 190363 · RF 15 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 6.9 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2025-07-30 · newer construction permit granted
- WUND-TV · facility 69292 · RF 29 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 657 kW · HAAT 489.8 m · licensed 2021-02-02
- WPMC-CD · facility 71125 · RF 36 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 0.09 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2015-05-21
- W22EN-D · facility 190587 · RF 22 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2015-03-13 · newer construction permit granted
- W28CJ-D · facility 125383 · RF 28 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2015-03-13 · newer construction permit granted
- W17CT-D · facility 125393 · 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 2015-03-13
- W24EC-D · facility 125413 · RF 24 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2015-03-13 · newer construction permit granted
- W26EY-D · facility 125417 · RF 26 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2021-05-04 · newer construction permit granted
- W30DN-D · facility 130375 · RF 30 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2015-03-13 · newer construction permit granted
- WHOB-LD · facility 127496 · RF 35 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 0.12 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2024-01-04 · newer construction permit granted
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