KCTV (CBS) · Channel 5
Full power TV station · Kansas City, Missouri
KCTV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 5, licensed to Kansas City, Missouri. Its signal is estimated to reach about 112 cities and towns within 67 miles.
About KCTV
Full-power stations are the main licensed broadcasters in a market. They may run the highest power from the tallest towers and are protected from interference, so they set the core of what you can receive.
At 1,000 kW effective radiated power, KCTV runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 344 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 44% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 55 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 67 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 112 cities and towns in our guide with about 2,390,000 residents, as far as Topeka, KS (59 miles).
The nearest other CBS station in our data is KCJO-CD in Saint Joseph, MO, 49 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
CBS is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local CBS affiliates carry the network's news, daytime and primetime schedule plus local news, and CBS is the over-the-air home of many NFL Sunday afternoon games.
Station facts
| Network | CBS |
| Virtual channel | 5 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Kansas City, MO |
| Tower location | 39.07067, -94.58264 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 344 m (1,129 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 41230 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KCTV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | 2.0 mi | 186° S | Strong |
| Roeland Park, KS | 3.5 mi | 49° NE | Strong |
| Kansas City, KS | 3.8 mi | 141° SE | Strong |
| Mission, KS | 4.9 mi | 53° NE | Strong |
| Prairie Village, KS | 6.1 mi | 27° NNE | Strong |
| Merriam, KS | 6.8 mi | 61° ENE | Strong |
| Leawood, KS | 7.4 mi | 14° NNE | Strong |
| Shawnee, KS | 7.6 mi | 75° ENE | Strong |
| Raytown, MO | 7.7 mi | 304° NW | Strong |
| Overland Park, KS | 7.7 mi | 38° NE | Strong |
| Independence, MO | 9.1 mi | 261° W | Strong |
| Gladstone, MO | 9.3 mi | 189° S | Strong |
| Lenexa, KS | 11 mi | 45° NE | Strong |
| East Independence, MO | 12 mi | 262° W | Strong |
| Grandview, MO | 13 mi | 348° NNW | Strong |
| Liberty, MO | 15 mi | 216° SW | Strong |
| Lee's Summit, MO | 15 mi | 316° NW | Strong |
| Bonner Springs, KS | 16 mi | 87° E | Strong |
| Blue Springs, MO | 17 mi | 283° WNW | Strong |
| Belton, MO | 18 mi | 351° N | Strong |
| Olathe, KS | 18 mi | 44° NE | Strong |
| Raymore, MO | 20 mi | 339° NNW | Strong |
| Grain Valley, MO | 21 mi | 281° W | Strong |
| Lansing, KS | 21 mi | 126° SE | Strong |
| Smithville, MO | 22 mi | 180° S | Strong |
| Kearney, MO | 24 mi | 210° SSW | Strong |
| Leavenworth, KS | 25 mi | 132° SE | Strong |
| Oak Grove, MO | 25 mi | 281° W | Strong |
| Gardner, KS | 26 mi | 46° NE | Strong |
| Pleasant Hill, MO | 26 mi | 319° NW | Strong |
| Excelsior Springs, MO | 27 mi | 226° SW | Good |
| Harrisonville, MO | 31 mi | 337° NNW | Good |
| Lawrence, KS | 36 mi | 79° ENE | Good |
| Atchison, KS | 45 mi | 140° SE | Good |
| Ottawa, KS | 48 mi | 49° NE | Good |
| Cameron, MO | 50 mi | 202° SSW | Good |
| Warrensburg, MO | 50 mi | 295° WNW | Good |
| Saint Joseph, MO | 50 mi | 164° SSE | Good |
| Topeka, KS | 59 mi | 88° E | Good |
| Clinton, MO | 65 mi | 318° NW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- WDAF-TVFox · 4
- KCWECW · 29
- KMBC-TVABC · 9
- KTAJ-TVTrinity · 16
- KPXE-TVION · 50
- KGKC-LDTelemundo · 39
- KUKC-LDUnivision · 14
- KSHB-TVNBC · 41
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KCTV transmitter tower?
KCTV broadcasts from a tower at 39.0707, -94.5826, near Kansas City, MO. It is licensed to Kansas City, Missouri.
What channel is KCTV on?
KCTV appears as virtual channel 5 (5.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does KCTV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 67 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 76 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KCTV with an antenna?
About 2,390,000 people live in the 112 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KCTV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KCTV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.