Connecticut Television Stations

Complete guide to broadcast TV stations, networks, and local news in the Hartford-New Haven market

13

Full-Power Stations

#32

DMA Market Rank

1.06M

TV Households

4

PBS Stations (CPTV)

📺 Table of Contents

📊 Hartford-New Haven Market Overview

The Hartford-New Haven designated market area (DMA) is the 32nd largest television market in the United States, serving Connecticut with comprehensive broadcast coverage. The market has grown to 1,060,910 TV households as of the 2024-2025 season, representing a 3% increase from the previous year.

Market Coverage

Geographic Area: Seven Connecticut counties - Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, and Windham

Total Population: Approximately 2.3 million residents

TV Households: 1,060,910 (2024-2025 season)

Cable/Satellite Penetration: 97.3% (82.9% wired cable, 14.4% satellite/streaming)

Full-Power Stations: 13 broadcast stations covering all major networks

📡 Major Network Affiliates

Connecticut features affiliates of all major broadcast networks, providing comprehensive local news, weather, sports, and entertainment programming to residents across the state.

WFSB Channel 3 (CBS)

Location: Hartford, CT

Owner: Gray Media

Digital Channel: 36 (broadcasts on virtual channel 3)

Coverage: 100 kW transmitter power from Talcott Mountain in Avon

Website: wfsb.com

History: Signed on September 23, 1957, as WTIC-TV, the second VHF station in Connecticut. Originally owned by Hartford-based Travelers Insurance Company and initially operated as an independent station before becoming a CBS affiliate.

Market Position: WFSB has been the dominant ratings leader in the Hartford-New Haven television market for decades, consistently outperforming competitors in local news viewership.

Studios: Located on Denise D'Ascenzo Way in Rocky Hill, named after the station's longtime news anchor who passed away in 2019.

WTNH Channel 8 (ABC)

Location: New Haven, CT

Owner: Nexstar Media Group

Digital Channel: 10 VHF (broadcasts on virtual channel 8)

Duopoly Partner: WCTX Channel 59 (MyNetworkTV)

Website: wtnh.com

History: First signed on June 15, 1948, as WNHC-TV on channel 6, making it Connecticut's inaugural television station. Moved to channel 8 in 1953 and has been serving Connecticut for over 75 years.

Market Position: Regularly competes for second place in local news ratings, providing comprehensive coverage of New Haven County and southern Connecticut communities.

WVIT Channel 30 (NBC)

Location: New Britain, CT

Branding: NBC Connecticut / NBC 30

Owner: NBCUniversal (NBC Owned Television Stations division)

Digital Channel: 35 UHF (broadcasts on virtual channel 30)

Coverage: 3,090 kW transmitter power

Website: nbcconnecticut.com

History: Signed on February 13, 1953, as WKNB-TV (standing for Kensington-New Britain), making it Connecticut's second-oldest television station and the first on the UHF band. Has maintained NBC affiliation since sign-on.

Innovation: On June 7, 2021, WVIT debuted a 7 p.m. newscast, becoming the first and only station in Connecticut to offer a prime time newscast, expanding local news coverage options for viewers.

WTIC Channel 61 (FOX)

Location: Hartford, CT

Branding: FOX61 / FOX CT

Owner: Tegna Inc.

Duopoly Partner: WCCT Channel 20 (The CW)

Website: fox61.com

Coverage: Provides FOX network programming and local news coverage throughout central Connecticut, serving as the primary FOX affiliate for the Hartford-New Haven market.

🎓 Connecticut Public Television (CPTV)

Connecticut Public Television operates a statewide network of four PBS stations, providing educational programming, documentaries, and cultural content to nearly every Connecticut household, along with portions of Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.

CPTV Network Stations

WEDH Channel 24 - Hartford (flagship station)

WEDN Channel 53 - Norwich (eastern Connecticut)

WEDW Channel 49 - Bridgeport (southwestern Connecticut)

WEDY Channel 65 - New Haven (south-central Connecticut)

History and Mission

Founded: 1962, when WEDH in Hartford signed on with a black and white signal, broadcasting from a Trinity College library basement

Original Name: Connecticut Educational Television (became Connecticut Public Television in 1967)

Coverage Area: Four stations provide overlapping coverage across almost all of Connecticut, plus portions of neighboring states

Parent Organization: Connecticut Public, which also operates Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR) as an integrated public media service

Distribution and Access

Cable Systems: CPTV is available on all cable systems throughout Connecticut

Satellite Coverage: WEDH available on Hartford-New Haven DirecTV and Dish Network feeds covering most of the state; WEDW carried on New York City satellite feeds serving Fairfield County

Regional Reach: WEDW is available over-the-air and on cable systems in portions of Greater New York, including parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Website: ctpublic.org

📋 Complete Connecticut Television Station List

Connecticut hosts 13 full-power television stations broadcasting 130+ digital TV channels across the state. All stations serve the Hartford-New Haven DMA unless otherwise noted.

Call SignChannelNetworkLocationOwnerWebsite
WFSB3 (RF 36)CBSHartfordGray Mediawfsb.com
WTNH8 (RF 10)ABCNew HavenNexstar Media Groupwtnh.com
WVIT30 (RF 35)NBCNew BritainNBCUniversalnbcconnecticut.com
WCCT-TV20 (RF 17)The CWWaterburyTegna Inc.cwtvct.com
WCTX59 (RF 41)MyNetworkTVNew HavenNexstar Media Groupmytvct.com
WTIC-TV61 (RF 31)FOXHartfordTegna Inc.fox61.com
WEDH24 (RF 46)PBS (CPTV)HartfordConnecticut Publicctpublic.org
WEDN53 (RF 48)PBS (CPTV)NorwichConnecticut Publicctpublic.org
WEDW49 (RF 18)PBS (CPTV)BridgeportConnecticut Publicctpublic.org
WEDY65 (RF 32)PBS (CPTV)New HavenConnecticut Publicctpublic.org
WUVN18 (RF 19)UnivisionHartfordTelevisaUnivisionunivision.com
WHPX-TV26 (RF 27)Ion TelevisionNew LondonInyo Broadcast Holdingsiontelevision.com
WCTV-Connecticut NetworkHartfordCT General Assemblyct-n.com

Note: RF (Radio Frequency) channel indicates the actual broadcast frequency, while virtual channel is what appears on your TV. Most viewers will only see the virtual channel number.

📰 Local News Coverage

Connecticut television stations provide extensive local news coverage with multiple daily broadcasts, severe weather coverage, investigative reporting, and community-focused journalism serving the state's diverse regions.

WFSB Channel 3 (CBS)

Eyewitness News

  • Morning news starting at 4:30 a.m.
  • Midday news at 12 p.m.
  • Evening news at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m.
  • Late news at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
  • Market-leading ratings for decades
  • Comprehensive weather coverage with First Alert Weather team

WTNH Channel 8 (ABC)

News 8

  • Early morning news starting at 4:30 a.m.
  • Midday news at 12 p.m.
  • Evening news at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m.
  • Late news at 11 p.m.
  • Strong focus on New Haven County coverage
  • Breaking news mobile alerts and streaming

WVIT Channel 30 (NBC)

NBC Connecticut

  • Morning news starting at 4:30 a.m.
  • Midday news at 12 p.m.
  • Evening news at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m.
  • 7 p.m. newscast (only primetime newscast in CT)
  • Late news at 11 p.m.
  • NBC-owned resources for national coverage

WTIC Channel 61 (FOX)

FOX61 News

  • Morning news starting at 6 a.m.
  • Evening news at 6 p.m.
  • Late news at 10 p.m. (one hour earlier than other stations)
  • Focus on breaking news and investigations
  • Digital-first approach with strong social media presence

📺 Cable & Streaming Providers

Connecticut residents have access to multiple cable, fiber, and streaming television providers offering local channels, premium networks, and on-demand content. Nearly 98% of Connecticut households have access to broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps or better.

Xfinity (Comcast)

Coverage: Available to approximately 55% of Connecticut residents (2+ million people)

Technology: Cable and expanding fiber network

Speed: Up to 2,000 Mbps (averaging 1,858 Mbps statewide)

Expansion: Recently expanded fiber service to Norwalk, Stratford, Wilton, Milford, Orange, and Woodbridge

TV Package: Includes all Connecticut local channels, premium networks, and on-demand content

Frontier Communications

Coverage: Most widely available provider in Connecticut (63% coverage)

Technology: Fiber and DSL internet throughout the state

Speed: Up to 7,000 Mbps fiber (fastest in Connecticut)

Services: Fiber internet with streaming TV options

Availability: Primary wired internet supplier serving urban and rural areas

Optimum (Altice USA)

Coverage: Dominant provider in Fairfield County (western Connecticut)

Technology: Cable and fiber internet

Speed: Up to 8,000 Mbps (fastest plans available in Connecticut)

Heritage: Formerly Cablevision, acquired by Altice USA in 2015

TV Package: Comprehensive cable TV with local Connecticut channels and premium content

Additional Television Providers

  • Cox Communications - Fiber and cable internet around Meriden and Hartford
  • Charter Communications - Select areas, Stamford-based service
  • Breezeline - Regional cable provider in certain Connecticut communities
  • GoNetspeed - Expanding fiber internet service in Connecticut
  • DirecTV - Satellite TV covering all of Connecticut
  • Dish Network - Satellite TV with Hartford-New Haven local channels
  • YouTube TV - Streaming service with Connecticut local channels
  • Hulu + Live TV - Streaming option with local broadcast networks

🗽 Fairfield County & New York DMA

Fairfield County, Connecticut's southwestern-most county bordering New York, is part of the New York DMA rather than the Hartford-New Haven DMA, creating a unique television market situation for Connecticut residents in this region.

Geographic Television Division

Fairfield County DMA Status: Part of New York DMA (#1 market nationally with 7.5M TV households)

Other Connecticut Counties: All remaining six Connecticut counties are part of Hartford-New Haven DMA (#32 nationally)

Historical Reason: During the early television era, Fairfield County residents received New York City stations more easily than Hartford-New Haven stations due to geography and antenna technology. This historical reception pattern established Fairfield County's placement in the New York DMA.

What This Means for Fairfield County Residents

Television Channels Received:

  • New York City network affiliates (WABC, WCBS, WNBC, WNYW)
  • New York-based local news coverage
  • New York sports teams and regional programming
  • Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) via WEDW Channel 49 in Bridgeport

Limited Access To:

  • Hartford-New Haven local news (WFSB, WTNH, WVIT)
  • Connecticut-specific local coverage
  • Must use over-the-air antenna to receive Hartford-New Haven stations
  • Satellite services don't carry Hartford-New Haven DMA channels in Fairfield County

Cable Distribution in Fairfield County

Optimum (Altice): Primary cable provider in Fairfield County, offering New York City local channels

WEDW (CPTV): Connecticut Public Television's Bridgeport station (Channel 49) is available on Fairfield County cable systems and over-the-air, maintaining some Connecticut public media presence

Regional Coverage: WEDW also reaches portions of Greater New York, including parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, extending Connecticut public television beyond state borders

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Connecticut has 13 full-power television stations broadcasting 130+ digital TV channels. This includes affiliates of all major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, The CW, MyNetworkTV), Spanish-language network Univision, Ion Television, four PBS stations operated by Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), and the Connecticut Network (CT-N) for state government coverage. All stations primarily serve the Hartford-New Haven DMA, which is the 32nd largest television market in the United States.

Connecticut's four main local news channels are WFSB Channel 3 (CBS), WTNH Channel 8 (ABC), WVIT Channel 30 (NBC), and WTIC Channel 61 (FOX). WFSB has been the dominant ratings leader for decades, while WTNH and WVIT regularly compete for second place. WVIT offers unique programming with Connecticut's only 7 p.m. prime time newscast, which launched in June 2021. All four stations provide comprehensive morning, midday, evening, and late-night news coverage, along with weather forecasts, sports, and investigative reporting focused on Connecticut communities.

Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) is Connecticut's PBS network, operating four full-power stations that provide near-complete coverage of the state: WEDH Channel 24 in Hartford (flagship), WEDN Channel 53 in Norwich, WEDW Channel 49 in Bridgeport, and WEDY Channel 65 in New Haven. Founded in 1962 as Connecticut Educational Television, CPTV offers educational programming, documentaries, children's content, and cultural programming. The network launched a dedicated 24/7 PBS Kids channel in September 2024, expanding educational content access for up to 500,000 underserved households via cable, streaming, and the CPTV Passport app.

Fairfield County is part of the New York DMA rather than the Hartford-New Haven DMA due to historical television reception patterns. During the early years of television (1940s-1950s), Fairfield County residents could receive New York City stations more easily with a single antenna than Hartford-New Haven stations, which required multiple antennae due to different broadcast directions. This reception pattern established Fairfield County's assignment to the New York DMA. Today, Fairfield County residents receive New York City network affiliates on cable and satellite, but can still access Connecticut stations via over-the-air antenna or streaming services. CPTV's WEDW Channel 49 in Bridgeport remains available to maintain Connecticut public television presence in the region.

Connecticut's major cable and internet providers include Xfinity (Comcast), serving approximately 55% of the state with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps; Frontier Communications, the most widely available provider covering 63% of Connecticut with fiber speeds up to 7,000 Mbps; and Optimum (Altice), dominant in Fairfield County with speeds up to 8,000 Mbps. Additional providers include Cox Communications in the Meriden/Hartford area, Charter Communications in Stamford, Breezeline, and expanding fiber service from GoNetspeed. Satellite options include DirecTV and Dish Network, while streaming services like YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV offer Connecticut local channels. Overall, 98% of Connecticut households have access to broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps or better.

The Hartford-New Haven DMA is the 32nd largest television market in the United States, serving 1,060,910 TV households as of the 2024-2025 season, a 3% increase from the previous year. The market covers approximately 2.3 million residents across seven Connecticut counties: Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, and Windham. With 97.3% cable/satellite penetration (82.9% wired cable, 14.4% satellite/streaming), Hartford-New Haven is a significant mid-sized television market with robust local news coverage, diverse programming options, and strong advertiser interest.

Yes, Connecticut TV stations are available through multiple streaming options. All major stations (WFSB, WTNH, WVIT, WTIC) offer live streaming and on-demand news content through their websites and mobile apps. Live TV streaming services including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and fuboTV carry Connecticut local channels for subscribers in the Hartford-New Haven market. CPTV content is available via the PBS app, CPTV Passport streaming service, and the dedicated PBS Kids 24/7 channel. Additionally, individual station news apps provide breaking news alerts, weather forecasts, and live streaming of local newscasts, allowing viewers to watch Connecticut television content on smartphones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices from anywhere.

The Connecticut Network (CT-N) is Connecticut's public affairs television network, providing gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Connecticut General Assembly, public hearings, press conferences, town halls, and other governmental proceedings. Operated by the Connecticut General Assembly, CT-N offers transparent access to state government operations, allowing residents to watch legislative debates, committee hearings, and policy discussions in real-time or on-demand. The network is available on most Connecticut cable systems and streams live at ct-n.com, with archived content available for research and civic engagement. CT-N serves as an essential resource for citizens, journalists, advocacy groups, and anyone interested in Connecticut state government and public policy.

📚 Related Television Resources

State Flag: Connecticut

Last updated on November 27, 2025