TV stations in Arizona

Arizona has 172 licensed TV transmitters: 30 full-power, 7 Class A, 41 low-power and 94 translator stations. Translators make up 55% of the total, well above the national share of 41%. That usually points to mountains or long rural distances that the main towers cannot cover on their own.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Phoenix (12), Tucson (10), Flagstaff (3) and Yuma (2). Those cities are where the main broadcast hubs sit, and most viewers aim their antennas toward one of them.

The most powerful full-power transmitter in Arizona is KPHO-TV (CBS) in Phoenix, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is KGUN-TV near Tucson, 1,140 m (3,740 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 215 cities and towns in Arizona. A typical place gets 12 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 26 miles away. 22% of places can use an indoor antenna, 32% need an amplified or attic antenna, 46% an outdoor directional antenna and 0% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 89%, CBS 89%, NBC 96% and Fox 88%.

Maricopa has the most stations in reach (28). Claypool is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 69 miles away.