List of television stations in North Carolina

The list of television stations in North Carolina comprises all over-the-air broadcast outlets licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve the state, including full-power commercial and non-commercial stations, low-power facilities, and signal translators that deliver network programming, local news, and educational content across urban and rural areas.^[1] These stations operate within ten designated market areas (DMAs) as defined by Nielsen, with coverage extending to all 100 counties and parts of neighboring states.^[2] As of 2025, North Carolina is home to 49 full-power television stations and over 20 low-power stations, affiliated primarily with major networks such as ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and PBS, alongside independents and digital multicast channels offering specialized programming like weather, sports, and public affairs.^[3] The state's largest DMA is Charlotte at rank 21 nationally, encompassing 1,382,020 television households and featuring key stations like WBTV (CBS) and WCNC-TV (NBC).^[2] Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville ranks 22nd with 1,345,840 households, served by outlets including WRAL-TV (CBS) and WTVD (ABC), while Greensboro-High Point-Winston-Salem holds the 46th position with 766,980 households and stations such as WXII-TV (NBC) and WFMY-TV (CBS).^[2] Smaller markets like Greenville-New Bern-Washington (rank 102, 319,350 households) and Wilmington (rank 126, 240,210 households) contribute to statewide coverage with local-focused broadcasts.^[2] Television broadcasting in North Carolina began on July 15, 1949, when WBTV in Charlotte signed on as the state's—and the Carolinas'—first station, initially airing a mix of live local shows and network content from CBS.^[4] Educational television followed with WUNC-TV in Chapel Hill launching on January 8, 1955, as the first public station in the state and the tenth in the nation, now part of PBS North Carolina's network of 12 stations that reach every county with channels dedicated to national PBS programming, local history, children's education, and in-depth reporting.^[5] Today, the state's stations play a vital role in emergency alerts, community engagement, and digital transitions, including expanding ATSC 3.0 next-gen TV adoption in major markets like Charlotte and Raleigh.^[3]

Overview

Designated market areas

Designated market areas (DMAs), as defined by Nielsen, are geographic regions comprising groups of counties where the home station is most watched by at least 50% of the Nielsen-measured television households in each county.^[6] These areas serve as the primary framework for measuring local television viewership, determining station affiliations with national networks, and allocating advertising revenue based on audience reach. In North Carolina, DMAs structure broadcast coverage to align with population centers, influencing how content is distributed and consumed across urban and rural divides. North Carolina encompasses parts of six primary DMAs, which collectively cover 89 of the state's 100 counties, with the remaining counties assigned to adjacent out-of-state DMAs such as Roanoke (VA), Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News (VA), and Columbia (SC); there is some overlap into neighboring states. The largest is the Charlotte DMA, ranked 21st nationally with 1,382,020 television households and spanning 22 counties, including 18 in North Carolina such as Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, and Union.^[2][7] The Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville) DMA ranks 22nd with 1,345,840 households and covers 23 counties, primarily in North Carolina including Wake, Durham, Johnston, Cumberland, and Orange.^[2][8] Greensboro-High Point-Winston Salem ranks 46th with 766,980 households across 14 North Carolina counties like Guilford, Forsyth, Alamance, and Randolph.^[2][9] The Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson DMA, ranked 36th with 987,740 households, is shared with South Carolina and Georgia, encompassing 14 North Carolina counties including Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison.^[2][10] Greenville-New Bern-Washington ranks 102nd with 319,350 households over 15 North Carolina counties such as Pitt, Craven, Beaufort, and Carteret.^[2][11] Wilmington, the smallest at 126th rank with 240,210 households, includes 5 counties like New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender.^[2][12] The evolution of DMAs in North Carolina has been shaped by population growth and technological shifts. Topography plays a key role in DMA signal coverage, particularly in western North Carolina where the Appalachian Mountains disrupt line-of-sight transmissions.

Digital transition and technologies

The transition to digital television in North Carolina followed the national mandate set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with full-power analog broadcasting ceasing on June 12, 2009, across the United States, including all stations in the state.^[13] Some North Carolina stations adopted digital signals earlier to prepare viewers; for instance, three outlets in the Charlotte market—WAXN-TV, WTVI, and WHKY-TV—shut down their analog signals on February 17, 2009, ahead of the final deadline, allowing for a smoother rollout of digital services in that area.^[14] This shift enabled improved picture quality, more efficient spectrum use, and the introduction of multicasting capabilities, fundamentally altering how broadcasters delivered content to audiences. A key aspect of the digital transition involved distinguishing between virtual channels and radio frequency (RF) channels. The virtual channel represents the legacy channel number that viewers recognize from the analog era (e.g., channel 9), while the RF channel is the actual physical frequency band used for digital transmission, often in the UHF range post-transition (e.g., RF 19).^[15] To maintain continuity, stations employ Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) to map their virtual channel to the RF channel, ensuring audiences could continue tuning to familiar numbers without confusion during and after the 2009 switchover.^[16] This mapping has persisted, supporting seamless viewer experiences amid evolving broadcast technologies. Digital subchannels emerged as a major benefit of the transition, allowing stations to multicast multiple programming streams on a single RF channel. For example, WSOC-TV in Charlotte airs Telemundo on its 9.2 subchannel, providing Spanish-language content to diverse viewers, while WNCT-TV in Greenville broadcasts The CW on 9.2 alongside its primary CBS feed.^[17] As of 2025, North Carolina broadcasters operate over 100 active digital subchannels statewide, offering a mix of news, weather, ethnic programming, and niche networks that expand viewing options without requiring additional spectrum.^[18] Advancements continued with the rollout of ATSC 3.0, known as NextGen TV, which enhances digital broadcasting with features like 4K ultra-high-definition video, immersive audio, interactive program guides, and improved mobile reception through better signal robustness.^[19] In North Carolina, adoption began in 2021, with Charlotte stations WAXN-TV, WBTV, WSOC-TV, WJZY, and WCNC-TV launching ATSC 3.0 services that year, followed by Greensboro's WXLV-TV, WGHP, WXII-TV, and WMYV.^[20][21] Raleigh-Durham saw WTVD, WNCN, WUVC, WLFL, and WRDC join in, while PBS North Carolina extended coverage to that market and Greenville via WUNC-TV and WUNK-TV.^[22] Asheville benefits from shared signals in the overlapping Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville market.^[23] By 2025, these deployments reach approximately 50% of North Carolina households, primarily in the state's largest designated market areas, with PBS North Carolina actively expanding NextGen TV statewide to enhance educational programming and emergency alerts.^[24] The post-2009 era also faced challenges from the FCC's 2017 incentive auction, which repacked the TV spectrum by reassigning channels to free up bandwidth for wireless services, displacing 987 full-power stations nationwide, including several in North Carolina.^[25] In the state, this affected assignments in key markets; for example, PBS North Carolina's WUNE-TV in Triangle was reassigned during the multi-phase transition completed by 2020, requiring equipment upgrades and temporary signal disruptions to comply with new frequencies while minimizing viewer impact. These changes optimized spectrum efficiency but necessitated significant investments in infrastructure for affected stations.

Full-power stations

Active full-power stations

North Carolina is home to 49 active full-power television stations, all licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as Class A or higher with effective radiated power (ERP) exceeding 1 kW, enabling broad coverage within their designated market areas (DMAs).^[26] These stations are grouped by DMA for organizational clarity, with the largest markets including Charlotte (11 stations), Raleigh-Durham (9 stations), and Greensboro-High Point-Winston-Salem (8 stations). Ownership is concentrated among major groups such as Nexstar Media Group (6 stations), Sinclair Broadcast Group (8 stations), Gray Television (4 stations), Tegna Inc. (2 stations), and the University of North Carolina system operating PBS NC (12 public stations).^{[27][28][29][5]} The state's full-power stations predominantly carry affiliations with ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS, reflecting the dominance of these networks in local broadcasting; notable examples include bilingual subchannels like Univision on WUVC-DT 40.1 in the Raleigh-Durham market. No new full-power stations launched between 2024 and 2025, though minor affiliation adjustments occurred, such as shifts in MyNetworkTV subchannels in select markets.^[30] Subchannel programming, enabled by digital broadcasting, allows many stations to offer additional networks like MeTV or Grit alongside primary affiliations.^[31] Note: Nexstar's pending acquisition of Tegna as of 2025 may consolidate additional stations like WCNC-TV and WFMY-TV under Nexstar ownership.^[32]

Charlotte DMA (11 full-power stations)

The Charlotte market, ranked 21st nationally, features a mix of major network affiliates and independent outlets serving the Piedmont region.^[2] Data compiled from FCC-licensed facilities as of November 2025.^[18][1]

Raleigh-Durham DMA (9 full-power stations)

Serving the Triangle region, this 22nd-ranked market includes key affiliates and the state's public broadcasting hub.^[2] Data compiled from FCC-licensed facilities as of November 2025. Bilingual programming on WUVC-DT supports the growing Hispanic population in the area.^[36][1]

Greensboro-High Point-Winston-Salem DMA (8 full-power stations)

This 46th-ranked market covers the Piedmont Triad with strong local news and network coverage.^[2] Data compiled from FCC-licensed facilities as of November 2025. WLXI (TCT) excluded as low-power in some classifications.^[37][1]

Greenville-New Bern-Washington DMA (7 full-power stations)

The 102nd-ranked market focuses on coastal coverage with essential network and public service stations.^[38] Data compiled from FCC-licensed facilities as of November 2025.^[39][1]

Wilmington DMA (6 full-power stations)

As the 126th-ranked market, Wilmington stations provide coverage for southeastern coastal communities.^[2] Data compiled from FCC-licensed facilities as of November 2025. Includes extended coverage stations.^[40][1]

Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson DMA (4 full-power stations in NC portion)

This cross-state market (ranked 36th) includes stations serving western North Carolina's mountainous areas.^[2] Data compiled from FCC-licensed facilities as of November 2025; additional stations serve the SC/GA portions.^[41][1]

Other DMAs (7 full-power stations)

Smaller markets and fringe areas host the remaining stations, primarily public and independent outlets. *Cross-DMA listing; total unique stations across all DMAs: 49. WWJS removed as duplicate/low-power overlap with WHKY. Data compiled from FCC-licensed facilities as of November 2025.^[42][1]

Defunct full-power stations

Several full-power television stations in North Carolina have ceased operations over the decades, primarily due to the economic disadvantages of UHF broadcasting in the 1950s, when viewers preferred VHF signals that required less sophisticated equipment for reception. These early stations often struggled with limited viewership, high operational costs, and competition from established VHF outlets, leading to closures or sales by the late 1950s. Later defunct stations faced regulatory revocations, technical interference, or market consolidation, including the impacts of the digital transition and FCC spectrum incentives in the 2010s. Their shutdowns contributed to affiliation realignments and the consolidation of local broadcasting in key markets like the Piedmont Triad and coastal regions, though no full-power stations have gone defunct since 2017, reflecting regulatory efforts to maintain broadcast retention. The following table lists notable defunct full-power stations, including their operational details and primary reasons for cessation: These closures highlight the precarious nature of early television in North Carolina, where UHF stations like WNAO-TV and WTOB-TV pioneered local programming, including news and community events, but ultimately accelerated the dominance of VHF affiliates in major markets. For instance, WTOB-TV's demise stabilized NBC coverage in the Piedmont Triad via WSJS-TV's expansion. Regulatory actions, such as the FCC's revocation for WUBC, underscored enforcement of broadcasting standards during the medium's growth phase. The 2017 WFXI shutdown, tied to the digital transition's spectrum reallocation, marked the last such full-power cessation in the state, as FCC policies have since incentivized station retention through repacking and relocation grants.^[51][52]

Low-power stations

Active low-power stations

Low-power television stations in North Carolina, including LPTV and Class A facilities, number approximately 45–50 active licenses as of November 2025, providing localized programming that supplements full-power broadcasts in underserved areas.^[53] These stations operate with limited effective radiated power (ERP) typically under 100 watts for LPTV and up to 1,000 watts for Class A, without mandatory carriage on cable systems, enabling flexible content delivery for niche audiences.^[54] Of these, five are Class A stations, which maintain stricter operational requirements similar to full-power outlets for enhanced community service.^[55] Ownership is diverse, with many independent operations alongside religious-focused and ethnic or specialty programming outlets, often filling coverage gaps in rural fringes or urban pockets across the state's designated market areas (DMAs).^[31] Distribution is concentrated in larger markets, with 6 stations in the Charlotte DMA and 13 in Raleigh-Durham, targeting areas beyond primary signal reach.^[18][36] Recent developments include the reactivation of previously silent facilities, such as W52CN-D in Raleigh during 2024, amid FCC windows for major modifications. In 2025, the FCC implemented phased windows for LPTV major modifications and new facilities, facilitating reactivations amid ongoing spectrum adjustments.^[56] The following table highlights key examples by DMA, showcasing varied affiliations and roles in local broadcasting: Some LPTV stations carry digital subchannels for additional content, such as religious or ethnic programming, enhancing their utility in fragmented viewing markets.^[31]

Defunct low-power stations

Low-power television (LPTV) stations in North Carolina have faced significant challenges leading to numerous closures, with over a dozen defunct stations documented since the 1980s. These outlets, designed to serve niche local audiences with limited coverage areas, often struggled with operational sustainability, resulting in patterns of short lifespans averaging under a decade for many. The defunct LPTV sector highlights the vulnerabilities of secondary broadcast services in a shifting media landscape, where economic pressures and regulatory changes accelerated shutdowns. Key examples illustrate these trends. In the Greenville area, W20EM-D (channel 20), which aired religious content, ceased broadcasting in 2019 due to insufficient funding amid declining viewership. In the Raleigh-Durham market, stations like W36FG-D experienced temporary silences but have since reactivated. Further west, WTBL-CD (channel 47) in Lexington was off-air from 2018 to 2023 following its participation in the FCC's 2017 spectrum incentive auction, where it received compensation to relinquish its license; it was reactivated in 2023.^[57] Closures were predominantly driven by financial non-viability (70% of cases), exacerbated by low advertising revenue and high maintenance costs for digital equipment; digital transition disruptions accounted for 20%, including interference issues during the 2009 DTV switchover; and license non-renewal made up the remaining 10%, often tied to FCC compliance failures. A significant wave of silences occurred post-2017 spectrum auction, as many LPTV operators opted for buyouts rather than relocation amid channel repacking, displacing over 1,000 low-power facilities nationwide and straining North Carolina's rural broadcasters. LPTV stations emerged in the 1980s as a means to enhance local access in underserved areas, filling gaps left by full-power networks with community-focused content like ethnic programming and public notices. Their numbers peaked at around 60 active stations in North Carolina during the early 2010s, coinciding with digital upgrades that briefly expanded reach. However, the rise of streaming platforms eroded audiences, contributing to a sharp decline as operators could not compete with on-demand alternatives.^[58] As of November 2025, no major LPTV closures have been reported in 2024 or 2025, reflecting a stabilization post-auction, though the FCC continues to monitor for potential revocations due to ongoing silence notifications and economic pressures.^[59]

Translator stations

Active translator stations

Active translator stations in North Carolina primarily serve to rebroadcast signals from full-power television stations, extending coverage to remote and rural areas where terrain obstacles hinder direct reception. As of November 2025, the Federal Communications Commission lists 47 licensed digital TV translators operating in the state, all of which converted to digital broadcasting following the 2009 digital television transition.^[42] These translators are distributed across VHF and UHF bands, with approximately 28 on VHF channels (including low-band channels 2-6 and high-band 7-13) and 19 on UHF channels (14 and above), enabling efficient signal propagation in challenging environments. Ownership typically resides with the primary station's licensee or nonprofit entities, such as the University of North Carolina for public broadcasting extensions, ensuring alignment with the originating content.^[42] The majority—around 30—focus on western North Carolina's mountainous regions, supporting key networks like PBS (via WUNF-TV), ABC (WLOS), NBC (WYFF), and CBS (WSPA-TV) to reach isolated communities in counties such as Buncombe, Henderson, and Swain. For instance, W20EK-D on channel 33 in Andrews rebroadcasts WUNF-TV's PBS programming, while W31FJ-D on channel 17 in Bat Cave extends WUNE-TV's signal. In the Charlotte area, translators like W34FH-D on channel 34 relay WCCB's independent content to suburban and rural viewers.^[42] This infrastructure addresses topography-related challenges in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville designated market area, where digital multicasting on translators allows carriage of multiple subchannels without originating new programming.^[41]

Defunct translator stations

Translator stations in North Carolina played a crucial role in extending broadcast signals to remote and mountainous areas during the 1970s through 1990s, when full-power stations struggled with terrain obstructions in the Appalachian region. These low-cost rebroadcasters were vital for delivering network and public television to underserved communities, filling coverage gaps that affected up to 20% of the state's rural population.^[60] The shift to digital television in 2009, followed by the 2017-2020 broadcast incentive auction and spectrum repack, rendered many analog translators obsolete, as they could not easily transition to digital without significant upgrades or channel reassignments. Most went off-air before 2020, with efforts to convert viable ones to low-power digital facilities where possible. No new defunct translators were reported in 2024 or 2025.^[61] Other notable cases involve University of North Carolina Center for Public Television translators and Hearst Television's repeaters, both impacted by repack displacements. These examples illustrate the broader trend of reduced reliance on translators post-digital era, with many licenses surrendered to the FCC.^[62]