Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting a control channel message transmitted on one of a plurality of shared control channels and targeted to a wireless receiver. In an exemplary method, messages transmitted over a plurality of shared control channels are decoded, and at least one likelihood metric is determined for each of the decoded messages. A best candidate is selected from the decoded messages, based on the likelihood metrics, and the at least one likelihood metric for the best candidate is compared to corresponding likelihood metrics for the messages other than the best candidate to determine whether the best candidate is a valid message. Wireless communication receivers configured correspondingly are also disclosed.