What channel is CBS on antenna in Rochester NY?
CBS is channel 8.1 (WROC-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 21 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put CBS on WROC-TV within antenna reach of about 99% of people in the Rochester NY market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 89% (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 WROC-TV tower and handle UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary .
Where CBS 8.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WROC-TV RF 21 · UHF
WROC-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for CBS around Rochester NY
Aim at the WROC-TV tower , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva, NY | west-northwest (302°) | 36 mi |
| Newark, NY | west-northwest (285°) | 26 mi |
| Brockport, NY | east-southeast (106°) | 19 mi |
| Hilton, NY | southeast (135°) | 15 mi |
| Honeoye Falls, NY | north (2°) | 13 mi |
The antenna you need for CBS in Rochester NY
CBS reaches ordinary TVs on UHF, so any antenna that picks up UHF will do. 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 Rochester NY · 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 WROC-TV
- 8.2 Bounce TV
- 8.3 Grit
- 8.4 Ion Mystery
Other networks in Rochester NY
Questions about CBS in Rochester NY
What channel is CBS on antenna in Rochester NY?
Why did CBS 8.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for CBS in Rochester NY?
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