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What channel is PBS on antenna in Washington DC (Hagerstown)?

PBS is channel 26.1 (WETA-TV).

It broadcasts on RF 31 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.

Our terrain predictions put PBS on WETA-TV within antenna reach of about 89% of people in the Washington DC (Hagerstown) market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 80% (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 WETA-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 PBS 26.1 comes from

  • Works on any digital TV

    WETA-TV RF 31 · UHF

    WETA-TV's own transmitter.

Which way to point for PBS around Washington DC (Hagerstown)

Aim at the WETA-TV tower . It stands apart from the main tower site, so it may need its own aim.

FromPointDistance
Alexandria, VA north (1°) 9 mi
Frederick, MD south-southeast (152°) 38 mi
Bowie, MD west (269°) 18 mi
College Park, MD west-southwest (247°) 8 mi
Winchester, VA east-southeast (104°) 61 mi
Takoma Park, MD west-southwest (243°) 5 mi
La Plata, MD north-northwest (348°) 29 mi
Chesapeake Beach, MD west-northwest (303°) 33 mi
Get the exact direction for your address

The antenna you need for PBS in Washington DC (Hagerstown)

PBS 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 Washington DC (Hagerstown) · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary

If 26.1 doesn't come in

PBS is also on:

More free channels from WETA-TV

  • 26.2 WETA UK
  • 26.3 PBS Kids
  • 26.4 World
  • 26.5 WETA Metro

Other networks in Washington DC (Hagerstown)

All 65 antenna channels in Washington DC (Hagerstown)

Questions about PBS in Washington DC (Hagerstown)

What channel is PBS on antenna in Washington DC (Hagerstown)?
PBS is channel 26.1 (WETA-TV) in Washington DC (Hagerstown). It broadcasts on RF 31 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Why did PBS 26.1 disappear from my TV?
Run a channel rescan first. If it is still missing, check that your antenna points toward the WETA-TV tower and that it handles UHF.
What antenna do I need for PBS in Washington DC (Hagerstown)?
Any antenna that receives UHF, aimed at the WETA-TV tower. Height matters more than brand: indoor close in, attic or roof farther out.

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