KESD-TV
Full power TV station · Brookings, South Dakota
KESD-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station, licensed to Brookings, South Dakota. Its signal is estimated to reach about 13 cities and towns within 47 miles.
About KESD-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 15 kW effective radiated power, KESD-TV runs more power than 8% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW). Stations on VHF channels are licensed at much lower power than UHF stations to cover the same area, so a low figure does not always mean a weak signal.
Its antenna sits 229 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 14% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 46 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 47 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 13 cities and towns in our guide with about 67,900 residents, as far as Watertown, SD (39 miles).
Station facts
| Network | Independent / not listed |
| Virtual channel | Not listed |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Brookings, SD |
| Tower location | 44.33778, -97.22861 |
| Effective radiated power | 15 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 229 m (751 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 61067 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KESD-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volga, SD | 15 mi | 274° W | Fair |
| De Smet, SD | 16 mi | 102° ESE | Fair |
| Brookings, SD | 21 mi | 275° W | Fair |
| Hayti, SD | 22 mi | 183° S | Fair |
| Madison, SD | 24 mi | 346° NNW | Fair |
| Howard, SD | 27 mi | 33° NNE | Fair |
| Flandreau, SD | 37 mi | 303° WNW | Fair |
| Clear Lake, SD | 39 mi | 224° SW | Fair |
| Watertown, SD | 39 mi | 188° S | Fair |
| Salem, SD | 43 mi | 11° N | Fair |
| Dell Rapids, SD | 44 mi | 324° NW | Fair |
| Clark, SD | 45 mi | 146° SE | Fair |
| Baltic, SD | 47 mi | 329° NNW | Fair |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KESD-TV transmitter tower?
KESD-TV broadcasts from a tower at 44.3378, -97.2286, near Volga, SD. It is licensed to Brookings, South Dakota.
How far does KESD-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 47 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 55 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KESD-TV with an antenna?
About 67,900 people live in the 13 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KESD-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KESD-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.