What channel is PBS on antenna in Philadelphia?
PBS is channel 12.1 (WHYY-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 13 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put PBS on WHYY-TV within antenna reach of about 86% of people in the Philadelphia 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 WHYY-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 PBS 12.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WHYY-TV RF 13 · VHF
WHYY-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for PBS around Philadelphia
Aim at the WHYY-TV tower , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown, PA | south-southeast (162°) | 40 mi |
| Bethlehem, PA | south (170°) | 41 mi |
| Wilmington, DE | northeast (36°) | 26 mi |
| Camden, NJ | northwest (316°) | 10 mi |
| Atlantic City, NJ | northwest (318°) | 62 mi |
| Point Pleasant, NJ | west (268°) | 62 mi |
| West Chester, PA | east-northeast (74°) | 20 mi |
| Bristol, PA | west (259°) | 21 mi |
The antenna you need for PBS in Philadelphia
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 Philadelphia · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
Other networks in Philadelphia
Questions about PBS in Philadelphia
What channel is PBS on antenna in Philadelphia?
Why did PBS 12.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for PBS in Philadelphia?
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