CBS

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.

Aim your antenna at KENS

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

NetworkCBS
Virtual channel5
Station typeFull power (DTV)
City of licenseSan Antonio, TX
Tower location29.26986, -98.26553
Effective radiated power1,000 kW
Antenna height (HAAT)441 m (1,447 ft)
FCC facility ID26304
License statusLicensed

Cities that can receive KENS

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

CityDistancePoint antennaEst. signal
Floresville, TX11 mi325° NWStrong
Kirby, TX15 mi152° SSEStrong
San Antonio, TX17 mi128° SEStrong
Converse, TX17 mi170° SStrong
Terrell Hills, TX18 mi142° SEStrong
Windcrest, TX18 mi158° SSEStrong
Alamo Heights, TX19 mi141° SEStrong
Universal City, TX19 mi175° SStrong
Schertz, TX20 mi179° SStrong
Cibolo, TX20 mi187° SStrong
Live Oak, TX21 mi168° SSEStrong
Selma, TX22 mi174° SStrong
Lackland Air Force Base, TX23 mi111° ESEStrong
Castle Hills, TX23 mi139° SEStrong
Pleasanton, TX25 mi32° NNEStrong
Leon Valley, TX26 mi126° SEGood
Seguin, TX27 mi221° SWGood
New Braunfels, TX31 mi196° SSWGood
Timberwood Park, TX33 mi157° SSEGood
Helotes, TX33 mi130° SEGood
Bulverde, TX35 mi161° SSEGood
Scenic Oaks, TX39 mi141° SEGood
Devine, TX40 mi77° ENEGood
Fair Oaks Ranch, TX40 mi145° SEGood
Canyon Lake, TX42 mi180° SGood
Redwood, TX43 mi210° SSWGood
Boerne, TX46 mi142° SEGood
San Marcos, TX47 mi205° SSWGood
Luling, TX47 mi233° SWGood
Lakehills, TX47 mi119° ESEGood
Gonzales, TX52 mi252° WSWGood
Hondo, TX53 mi96° EGood
Kyle, TX55 mi205° SSWGood
Lockhart, TX56 mi220° SWGood
Pearsall, TX56 mi62° ENEGood
Cuero, TX60 mi282° WNWGood
Buda, TX62 mi204° SSWGood
Shady Hollow, TX66 mi201° SSWFair
Yoakum, TX67 mi269° WFair
Beeville, TX68 mi333° NNWFair

Other network stations nearby

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.