KDKA-TV (CBS) · Channel 2
Full power TV station · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
KDKA-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 2, licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its signal is estimated to reach about 353 cities and towns within 65 miles.
About KDKA-TV
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, KDKA-TV runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 311 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 34% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 53 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 65 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 353 cities and towns in our guide with about 2,180,000 residents, as far as Alliance, OH (64 miles).
KDKA-TV shares its transmitter site with WPCW. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CBS station in our data is WTAJ-TV in Altoona, PA, 83 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 | 2 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Tower location | 40.49389, -80.01889 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 311 m (1,020 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 25454 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KDKA-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh, PA | 3.9 mi | 342° NNW | Strong |
| Allison Park, PA | 5.5 mi | 215° SW | Strong |
| Franklin Park, PA | 7.2 mi | 150° SSE | Strong |
| Wilkinsburg, PA | 8.0 mi | 297° WNW | Strong |
| Whitehall, PA | 9.3 mi | 351° N | Strong |
| Penn Hills, PA | 9.5 mi | 267° W | Strong |
| Mount Lebanon, PA | 9.7 mi | 10° N | Strong |
| Carnot-Moon, PA | 11 mi | 99° E | Strong |
| Baldwin, PA | 11 mi | 349° N | Strong |
| Upper Saint Clair, PA | 11 mi | 17° NNE | Strong |
| Bethel Park, PA | 12 mi | 5° N | Strong |
| West Mifflin, PA | 12 mi | 318° NW | Strong |
| McKeesport, PA | 13 mi | 321° NW | Strong |
| Monroeville, PA | 13 mi | 293° WNW | Strong |
| South Park Township, PA | 14 mi | 354° N | Strong |
| Cranberry Township, PA | 14 mi | 161° SSE | Strong |
| Plum, PA | 14 mi | 268° W | Strong |
| Lower Burrell, PA | 14 mi | 253° WSW | Strong |
| New Kensington, PA | 14 mi | 249° WSW | Strong |
| Fernway, PA | 15 mi | 157° SSE | Strong |
| Murrysville, PA | 17 mi | 285° WNW | Strong |
| Washington, PA | 25 mi | 28° NNE | Strong |
| Butler, PA | 26 mi | 194° SSW | Strong |
| Weirton Heights, WV | 28 mi | 78° ENE | Good |
| Greensburg, PA | 29 mi | 298° WNW | Good |
| Weirton, WV | 30 mi | 80° E | Good |
| Steubenville, OH | 33 mi | 75° ENE | Good |
| New Castle, PA | 39 mi | 154° SSE | Good |
| Indiana, PA | 46 mi | 259° W | Good |
| Wheeling, WV | 47 mi | 51° NE | Good |
| Boardman, OH | 50 mi | 137° SE | Good |
| Salem, OH | 52 mi | 122° ESE | Good |
| Youngstown, OH | 53 mi | 142° SE | Good |
| Hermitage, PA | 56 mi | 156° SSE | Good |
| Sharon, PA | 57 mi | 154° SSE | Good |
| Austintown, OH | 57 mi | 137° SE | Fair |
| Johnstown, PA | 59 mi | 282° WNW | Fair |
| Morgantown, WV | 60 mi | 357° N | Fair |
| Niles, OH | 62 mi | 140° SE | Fair |
| Alliance, OH | 64 mi | 117° ESE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KDKA-TV transmitter tower?
KDKA-TV broadcasts from a tower at 40.4939, -80.0189, near Bellevue, PA. It is licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
What channel is KDKA-TV on?
KDKA-TV appears as virtual channel 2 (2.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does KDKA-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 65 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 74 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KDKA-TV with an antenna?
About 2,180,000 people live in the 353 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KDKA-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KDKA-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.