CBS

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.

Aim your antenna at KCTV

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

NetworkCBS
Virtual channel5
Station typeFull power (DTV)
City of licenseKansas City, MO
Tower location39.07067, -94.58264
Effective radiated power1,000 kW
Antenna height (HAAT)344 m (1,129 ft)
FCC facility ID41230
License statusLicensed

Cities that can receive KCTV

Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.

CityDistancePoint antennaEst. signal
Kansas City, MO2.0 mi186° SStrong
Roeland Park, KS3.5 mi49° NEStrong
Kansas City, KS3.8 mi141° SEStrong
Mission, KS4.9 mi53° NEStrong
Prairie Village, KS6.1 mi27° NNEStrong
Merriam, KS6.8 mi61° ENEStrong
Leawood, KS7.4 mi14° NNEStrong
Shawnee, KS7.6 mi75° ENEStrong
Raytown, MO7.7 mi304° NWStrong
Overland Park, KS7.7 mi38° NEStrong
Independence, MO9.1 mi261° WStrong
Gladstone, MO9.3 mi189° SStrong
Lenexa, KS11 mi45° NEStrong
East Independence, MO12 mi262° WStrong
Grandview, MO13 mi348° NNWStrong
Liberty, MO15 mi216° SWStrong
Lee's Summit, MO15 mi316° NWStrong
Bonner Springs, KS16 mi87° EStrong
Blue Springs, MO17 mi283° WNWStrong
Belton, MO18 mi351° NStrong
Olathe, KS18 mi44° NEStrong
Raymore, MO20 mi339° NNWStrong
Grain Valley, MO21 mi281° WStrong
Lansing, KS21 mi126° SEStrong
Smithville, MO22 mi180° SStrong
Kearney, MO24 mi210° SSWStrong
Leavenworth, KS25 mi132° SEStrong
Oak Grove, MO25 mi281° WStrong
Gardner, KS26 mi46° NEStrong
Pleasant Hill, MO26 mi319° NWStrong
Excelsior Springs, MO27 mi226° SWGood
Harrisonville, MO31 mi337° NNWGood
Lawrence, KS36 mi79° ENEGood
Atchison, KS45 mi140° SEGood
Ottawa, KS48 mi49° NEGood
Cameron, MO50 mi202° SSWGood
Warrensburg, MO50 mi295° WNWGood
Saint Joseph, MO50 mi164° SSEGood
Topeka, KS59 mi88° EGood
Clinton, MO65 mi318° NWFair

Other network stations nearby

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.