KGW (NBC) · Channel 8
Full power TV station · Portland, Oregon
KGW is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with NBC on virtual channel 8, licensed to Portland, Oregon. Its signal is estimated to reach about 155 cities and towns within 78 miles.
About KGW
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, KGW runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 539 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 78% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 67 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 78 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 155 cities and towns in our guide with about 2,720,000 residents, as far as Corvallis, OR (71 miles).
KGW shares its transmitter site with KPXG-TV (ION), KGWZ-LD, KOPB-TV, KPXG-LD (ION), KORS-CD and KOXI-CD and 8 more. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other NBC station in our data is KNDO in Yakima, WA, 128 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
NBC is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local NBC affiliates carry the national morning show, evening news and primetime lineup, plus Sunday Night Football and, in Olympic years, the Games.
Station facts
| Network | NBC |
| Virtual channel | 8 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Portland, OR |
| Tower location | 45.52236, -122.74708 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 539 m (1,768 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 34874 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KGW
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | 3.4 mi | 269° W | Strong |
| Beaverton, OR | 3.7 mi | 48° NE | Strong |
| Aloha, OR | 6.1 mi | 71° ENE | Strong |
| Bethany, OR | 6.3 mi | 113° ESE | Strong |
| Tigard, OR | 6.4 mi | 11° N | Strong |
| Milwaukie, OR | 7.4 mi | 315° NW | Strong |
| Lake Oswego, OR | 7.9 mi | 332° NNW | Strong |
| Oak Grove, OR | 8.9 mi | 325° NW | Strong |
| Vancouver, WA | 9.0 mi | 207° SSW | Strong |
| Lents, OR | 9.2 mi | 289° WNW | Strong |
| Tualatin, OR | 9.6 mi | 5° N | Strong |
| Hazel Dell, WA | 11 mi | 202° SSW | Strong |
| Happy Valley, OR | 12 mi | 297° WNW | Strong |
| Hillsboro, OR | 12 mi | 90° E | Strong |
| Sherwood, OR | 12 mi | 21° NNE | Strong |
| West Linn, OR | 13 mi | 329° NNW | Strong |
| Oregon City, OR | 13 mi | 329° NNW | Strong |
| Orchards, WA | 13 mi | 222° SW | Strong |
| Salmon Creek, WA | 14 mi | 200° SSW | Strong |
| Five Corners, WA | 14 mi | 217° SW | Strong |
| Gresham, OR | 15 mi | 276° W | Strong |
| Wilsonville, OR | 15 mi | 5° N | Strong |
| Camas, WA | 17 mi | 255° WSW | Strong |
| Troutdale, OR | 17 mi | 266° W | Strong |
| Forest Grove, OR | 18 mi | 89° E | Strong |
| Canby, OR | 18 mi | 352° N | Strong |
| Newberg, OR | 19 mi | 35° NE | Strong |
| Washougal, WA | 19 mi | 258° WSW | Strong |
| Battle Ground, WA | 21 mi | 210° SSW | Strong |
| Woodburn, OR | 27 mi | 11° NNE | Good |
| McMinnville, OR | 31 mi | 45° NE | Good |
| Hayesville, OR | 39 mi | 17° NNE | Good |
| Keizer, OR | 39 mi | 20° NNE | Good |
| Salem, OR | 42 mi | 19° NNE | Good |
| Four Corners, OR | 43 mi | 16° NNE | Good |
| Longview, WA | 44 mi | 168° SSE | Good |
| Albany, OR | 64 mi | 16° NNE | Good |
| Lebanon, OR | 69 mi | 6° N | Good |
| Corvallis, OR | 71 mi | 21° NNE | Fair |
| The Dalles, OR | 76 mi | 267° W | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KGW transmitter tower?
KGW broadcasts from a tower at 45.5224, -122.7471, near West Haven-Sylvan, OR. It is licensed to Portland, Oregon.
What channel is KGW on?
KGW appears as virtual channel 8 (8.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying NBC.
How far does KGW broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 78 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 87 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KGW with an antenna?
About 2,720,000 people live in the 155 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KGW?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KGW tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.