KENS (CBS) · Channel 5
Full power TV station · San Antonio, Texas
KENS is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 5, licensed to San Antonio, Texas. Its signal is estimated to reach about 91 cities and towns within 73 miles.
About KENS
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, KENS runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 441 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 62% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 61 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 73 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 91 cities and towns in our guide with about 2,160,000 residents, as far as Kyle, TX (55 miles).
KENS shares its transmitter site with WOAI-TV (CW), K25OB-D, KWEX-DT (Univision) and KSAT-TV (ABC). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CBS station in our data is KEYE-TV in Austin, TX, 78 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 | San Antonio, TX |
| Tower location | 29.26986, -98.26553 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 441 m (1,447 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 26304 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KENS
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floresville, TX | 11 mi | 325° NW | Strong |
| Kirby, TX | 15 mi | 152° SSE | Strong |
| San Antonio, TX | 17 mi | 128° SE | Strong |
| Converse, TX | 17 mi | 170° S | Strong |
| Terrell Hills, TX | 18 mi | 142° SE | Strong |
| Windcrest, TX | 18 mi | 158° SSE | Strong |
| Alamo Heights, TX | 19 mi | 141° SE | Strong |
| Universal City, TX | 19 mi | 175° S | Strong |
| Schertz, TX | 20 mi | 179° S | Strong |
| Cibolo, TX | 20 mi | 187° S | Strong |
| Live Oak, TX | 21 mi | 168° SSE | Strong |
| Selma, TX | 22 mi | 174° S | Strong |
| Lackland Air Force Base, TX | 23 mi | 111° ESE | Strong |
| Castle Hills, TX | 23 mi | 139° SE | Strong |
| Pleasanton, TX | 25 mi | 32° NNE | Strong |
| Leon Valley, TX | 26 mi | 126° SE | Good |
| Seguin, TX | 27 mi | 221° SW | Good |
| New Braunfels, TX | 31 mi | 196° SSW | Good |
| Timberwood Park, TX | 33 mi | 157° SSE | Good |
| Helotes, TX | 33 mi | 130° SE | Good |
| Bulverde, TX | 35 mi | 161° SSE | Good |
| Scenic Oaks, TX | 39 mi | 141° SE | Good |
| Devine, TX | 40 mi | 77° ENE | Good |
| Fair Oaks Ranch, TX | 40 mi | 145° SE | Good |
| Canyon Lake, TX | 42 mi | 180° S | Good |
| Redwood, TX | 43 mi | 210° SSW | Good |
| Boerne, TX | 46 mi | 142° SE | Good |
| San Marcos, TX | 47 mi | 205° SSW | Good |
| Luling, TX | 47 mi | 233° SW | Good |
| Lakehills, TX | 47 mi | 119° ESE | Good |
| Gonzales, TX | 52 mi | 252° WSW | Good |
| Hondo, TX | 53 mi | 96° E | Good |
| Kyle, TX | 55 mi | 205° SSW | Good |
| Lockhart, TX | 56 mi | 220° SW | Good |
| Pearsall, TX | 56 mi | 62° ENE | Good |
| Cuero, TX | 60 mi | 282° WNW | Good |
| Buda, TX | 62 mi | 204° SSW | Good |
| Shady Hollow, TX | 66 mi | 201° SSW | Fair |
| Yoakum, TX | 67 mi | 269° W | Fair |
| Beeville, TX | 68 mi | 333° NNW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- WOAI-TVCW · 4.2
- KWEX-DTUnivision · 41
- KSAT-TVABC · 12
- KABBFox · 29
- KHCE-TVTrinity · 23
- KVDATelemundo · 60
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KENS transmitter tower?
KENS broadcasts from a tower at 29.2699, -98.2655, near Elmendorf, TX. It is licensed to San Antonio, Texas.
What channel is KENS on?
KENS appears as virtual channel 5 (5.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does KENS broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 73 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 82 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KENS with an antenna?
About 2,160,000 people live in the 91 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KENS?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KENS tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.