You’re sitting on the couch, remote in hand, just trying to find the 6 o'clock news or maybe that one weird syndicated sitcom you actually like. But the guide on your screen is a mess. Or maybe you've finally cut the cord and realized that "local" TV isn't as straightforward as it used to be. Finding a reliable virginia beach tv schedule in 2026 feels a bit like navigating the Lesner Bridge during a summer rush—lots of lanes, plenty of noise, and a decent chance you’ll end up somewhere you didn't intend to be.
Honestly, the Hampton Roads media market is unique. We aren't just one city. We’re a cluster of seven, and that means our signals are coming from all over—towers in Suffolk, studios in Norfolk, and bureaus right here in Virginia Beach. If you’re looking for what’s on "now," you’re likely toggling between the big four networks and a handful of digital subchannels that most people didn't even know existed five years ago.
The Heavy Hitters: Where the Big News Lives
Most of us still rely on the "Big Three" for our daily routine. If you grew up here, you know the drill. You’ve probably got a favorite meteorologist you trust when a tropical storm starts creeping up the coast.
WTKR (Channel 3) is the CBS affiliate. It’s been around forever. Their morning block usually kicks off with News 3 Weekend at 6:00 AM if it’s a Saturday, or their standard weekday crew. In the afternoons, they’re the home of The Price Is Right (classic) and The Young and the Restless. If you’re a sports fan, this is usually where you’re catching NFL games on Sundays, though that obviously shifts depending on the season.
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WAVY (Channel 10) is the NBC powerhouse. They’ve got a massive footprint in Portsmouth and Norfolk, but their "Drone 10" and "Super Doppler" are local legends in Virginia Beach. Their schedule is pretty rigid: morning news until 7:00 or 9:00 AM (depending on the day), followed by Today. If you’re looking for The Hampton Roads Show, that’s usually a mid-morning staple on WAVY, focusing on local lifestyle stuff that actually feels relevant to people living in the 757.
WVEC (Channel 13) is the ABC station. They’ve moved around a bit over the years but remain a staple for 13News Now. Their schedule often leans heavily into Good Morning America followed by Live with Kelly and Mark. If you’re looking for Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune in the evenings, WVEC is typically your destination before the primetime lineup kicks in.
The Subchannel Jungle You’re Probably Missing
Digital TV changed everything. Now, every major station has three or four "subchannels." You know, the .2, .3, and .4 stations.
Take WTKR, for example. While 3.1 is CBS, if you flip to 3.2, you might find Court TV. Flip again to 3.3, and it’s Bounce TV. WAVY does the same thing. They’ve got The Nest on 10.2 and Get TV on 10.3. This is where you find the comfort food of television: Magnum P.I., The Rockford Files, or those endless loops of Law & Order: SVU.
If you haven't rescanned your TV lately, you’re basically leaving free entertainment on the table.
Public Broadcasting and Local Gov
Don't sleep on WHRO (Channel 15). As our local PBS member station, their schedule is actually quite robust. They don't just do Sesame Street and Mister Rogers. They have specialized channels like Create (15.4) which is basically 24/7 cooking and travel, and World (15.2).
Then there’s VB NOW. If you’re on Cox or Verizon (usually channel 46), this is the City of Virginia Beach’s own channel. It’s not "prestige TV" by any means, but if you want to know why they’re tearing up the road on Shore Drive or when the next City Council meeting is, this is the only place you’ll get it straight from the source. When there isn't a show on, they usually broadcast NOAA weather radio. Kinda dry? Yeah. Useful? Absolutely.
How to Actually Find an Accurate Schedule
Let’s be real: the "Guide" button on your remote is often wrong. Networks move things for "Special Reports" or sports overruns.
- Station Websites: If you want the most up-to-the-minute info for WAVY, WTKR, or WVEC, go to their actual sites. They almost always have a "What's On" tab that reflects real-time changes better than a generic TV guide app.
- TitanTV or Channel Master: These are the "pro" tools for cord-cutters. You put in your zip code (like 23451 or 23464), and they give you a grid of every over-the-air signal hitting your antenna.
- Local Apps: Most of the local news stations have their own streaming apps now (like 13News Now+ or the WAVY app). They often stream their newscasts live, so even if you aren't near a TV, you can stay on schedule.
The "Cable vs. Antenna" Conflict
A lot of people in Virginia Beach are surprised to find out that the channel numbers on their cable box don't match the "over-the-air" numbers. If you're using a digital antenna, you’re looking for Channel 3, 10, or 13. If you're on Cox or Verizon, those might be moved to 3, 7, 10, or even up into the 500s or 1000s for HD.
Also, the signal strength in Virginia Beach can be a bit finicky. Depending on where you are—say, Sandbridge versus Pungo—you might need a directional antenna pointed toward the towers in Suffolk to get a clear picture. The tall buildings at the Oceanfront can occasionally cause "multipath interference," which is a fancy way of saying your TV gets confused by signals bouncing off hotels.
What’s Trending in the 757 Lineup?
Right now, there's a huge push toward "Hyper-Local" content. You’ll notice the virginia beach tv schedule including more blocks for things like The Hampton Roads Show or local sports specials. With the Commanders and other regional teams constantly in the news, the local stations are carving out more time for "Sports Wraps" immediately following the 11 o'clock news.
If you’re looking for something specific, like the holiday parades or the Something in the Water festival coverage (when it's in town), those usually take over the weekend morning slots on WVEC or WAVY.
Actionable Steps for a Better View
- Rescan your tuner. If you haven't done it this month, do it tonight. New digital subchannels pop up more often than you'd think.
- Bookmark the "Live" pages. Keep the live stream links for WTKR and WAVY on your phone's home screen. It’s the fastest way to check the weather or news without hunting for the remote.
- Check the "Point." If you use an antenna, use a site like AntennaWeb to see exactly where to point your gear. For Virginia Beach, you're usually aiming West/Southwest toward the Suffolk transmitter farms.
Getting your TV fix shouldn't feel like a chore. Whether you're catching up on Days of Our Lives or just waiting for the next hurricane update, knowing which channel holds the keys makes all the difference.