KPIX-TV (CBS) · Channel 5
Full power TV station · San Francisco, California
KPIX-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 5, licensed to San Francisco, California. Its signal is estimated to reach about 253 cities and towns within 76 miles.
About KPIX-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, KPIX-TV runs more power than 79% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 490 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 70% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 64 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 76 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 253 cities and towns in our guide with about 8,930,000 residents, as far as Patterson, CA (75 miles).
KPIX-TV shares its transmitter site with KTNC-TV, KMMC-LD, KEMO-TV, KGO-TV (ABC), KQED (PBS) and KQEH and 9 more. One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CBS station in our data is KOVR in Stockton, CA, 62 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 Francisco, CA |
| Tower location | 37.75528, -122.45278 |
| Effective radiated power | 1,000 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 490 m (1,609 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 25452 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive KPIX-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2.3 mi | 233° SW | Strong |
| Daly City, CA | 3.5 mi | 8° N | Strong |
| Chinatown, CA | 3.7 mi | 220° SW | Strong |
| South San Francisco, CA | 7.4 mi | 341° NNW | Strong |
| Oakland, CA | 11 mi | 251° WSW | Strong |
| Alameda, CA | 11 mi | 264° W | Strong |
| Berkeley, CA | 13 mi | 231° SW | Strong |
| Richmond, CA | 14 mi | 205° SSW | Strong |
| San Mateo, CA | 15 mi | 332° NNW | Strong |
| San Leandro, CA | 16 mi | 277° W | Strong |
| Castro Valley, CA | 20 mi | 282° WNW | Strong |
| Hayward, CA | 21 mi | 286° WNW | Strong |
| Redwood City, CA | 22 mi | 328° NNW | Strong |
| Walnut Creek, CA | 24 mi | 244° WSW | Strong |
| San Ramon, CA | 26 mi | 266° W | Strong |
| Union City, CA | 26 mi | 295° WNW | Strong |
| Vallejo, CA | 26 mi | 204° SSW | Good |
| Palo Alto, CA | 28 mi | 322° NW | Good |
| Concord, CA | 28 mi | 236° WSW | Good |
| Fremont, CA | 29 mi | 300° WNW | Good |
| Pleasanton, CA | 32 mi | 282° WNW | Good |
| Mountain View, CA | 33 mi | 322° NW | Good |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 35 mi | 320° NW | Good |
| Pittsburg, CA | 36 mi | 239° WSW | Good |
| Milpitas, CA | 37 mi | 307° NW | Good |
| Livermore, CA | 38 mi | 278° W | Good |
| Napa, CA | 39 mi | 194° SSW | Good |
| Santa Clara, CA | 39 mi | 316° NW | Good |
| Antioch, CA | 39 mi | 244° WSW | Good |
| Fairfield, CA | 41 mi | 213° SSW | Good |
| San Jose, CA | 42 mi | 313° NW | Good |
| Vacaville, CA | 49 mi | 211° SSW | Good |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 49 mi | 163° SSE | Good |
| Tracy, CA | 56 mi | 271° W | Good |
| Santa Cruz, CA | 59 mi | 337° NNW | Good |
| Stockton, CA | 65 mi | 258° WSW | Good |
| Davis, CA | 67 mi | 216° SW | Good |
| Manteca, CA | 68 mi | 268° W | Fair |
| Lodi, CA | 69 mi | 248° WSW | Fair |
| Elk Grove, CA | 74 mi | 233° SW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- KGO-TVABC · 7
- KQEDPBS · 9
- KTVUFox · 2
- KRON-TVCW · 4
- KPYXMeTV · 44.3
- KKPX-TVION · 65
- KNTVNBC · 11
- KDTV-DTUnivision · 14
- KTLN-TVMeTV · 68.2
- KSTSTelemundo · 48
Frequently asked questions
Where is the KPIX-TV transmitter tower?
KPIX-TV broadcasts from a tower at 37.7553, -122.4528, near Noe Valley, CA. It is licensed to San Francisco, California.
What channel is KPIX-TV on?
KPIX-TV appears as virtual channel 5 (5.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does KPIX-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 76 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 84 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch KPIX-TV with an antenna?
About 8,930,000 people live in the 253 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for KPIX-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the KPIX-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.