TV channels & antenna towers in Tucson, Arizona
Tucson has 18 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K27OP-D, 4.7 miles to the W.
Network channels in Tucson
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLMKHRRTelemundo | 40 | 11 mi | 280° W | Strong | Tucson, AZ |
| UNIKUVE-CDUnivision | 46 | 11 mi | 280° W | Good | Tucson, AZ |
| UNIKUVE-DTUnivision | 46 | 18 mi | 43° NE | Good | Green Valley, AZ |
| ABCKGUN-TVABC | 9 | 18 mi | 43° NE | Good | Tucson, AZ |
| CWKTTUCW | 18 | 18 mi | 43° NE | Good | Tucson, AZ |
| NBCKVOANBC | 4 | 18 mi | 43° NE | Good | Tucson, AZ |
| FOXKMSBFox | 11 | 18 mi | 43° NE | Good | Tucson, AZ |
| CBSKOLD-TVCBS | 13 | 18 mi | 43° NE | Good | Tucson, AZ |
Over-the-air TV in Tucson
Tucson is a city of about 532,000 people in Arizona. There are 18 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 10 full-power, 3 Class A, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 14 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 16 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 1 farther out. Tucson is a broadcast hub in its own right: seven of the 8 network stations in range are licensed here.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 9 (KGUN-TV), CBS on channel 13 (KOLD-TV), NBC on channel 4 (KVOA), Fox on channel 11 (KMSB), CW on channel 18 (KTTU), Telemundo on channel 40 (KHRR) and Univision on channel 46 (KUVE-DT). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (good signal). 3 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Tucson
Point your antenna NE, at about 43°. The main network towers for Tucson sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KUVE-DT, KGUN-TV, KTTU, KVOA and KMSB and others, transmit from the same tower site about 18 miles northeast of Tucson (43° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Tucson at fair strength or better, 75% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Tucson, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Tucson
The farthest main network tower for Tucson is KMSB (Fox), 18 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
KUAS-TV is only 4.7 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near Tucson
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K27OP-DTranslator | 4.7 mi | 264° W | Good | Oro Valley/Tucson, AZ |
| KUAS-TVFull power | 4.7 mi | 264° W | Strong | Tucson, AZ |
| K17PF-DClass A | 11 mi | 280° W | Good | Casas Adobes, AZ |
| KPCE-LDLow power | 12 mi | 285° WNW | Good | Tucson, AZ |
| KUDF-LPLow power | 18 mi | 43° NE | Fair | Tucson, AZ |
| KFTU-CDClass A | 18 mi | 43° NE | Fair | Tucson, AZ |
| K35OU-DLow power | 18 mi | 43° NE | Fair | Tucson, AZ |
| KUAT-TVFull power | 18 mi | 43° NE | Strong | Tucson, AZ |
| KWBA-TVFull power | 33 mi | 167° SSE | Good | Sierra Vista, AZ |
| KGRQ-LDLow power | 69 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Gila River Indian Co, AZ |
How Tucson compares with the rest of Arizona
With 17 stations at fair strength or better, Tucson ranks 50th of 215 places in Arizona: more than the typical Arizona town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 11 miles away, against a state median of 26 miles.
22% of Arizona's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Tucson: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 43° NE, the direction of KMSB (Fox), 18 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
- Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
- Expect around 17 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
- Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is ABC in Tucson, AZ?
ABC is on channel 9 from KGUN-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles NE of Tucson. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Tucson, AZ?
CBS is on channel 13 from KOLD-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles NE of Tucson. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Tucson, AZ?
NBC is on channel 4 from KVOA, broadcasting from 18 miles NE of Tucson. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Tucson, AZ?
Fox is on channel 11 from KMSB, broadcasting from 18 miles NE of Tucson. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Tucson, AZ?
CW is on channel 18 from KTTU, broadcasting from 18 miles NE of Tucson. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Tucson?
18 transmitters within 70 miles of Tucson; around 17 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.
Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Tucson?
Point your antenna NE, at about 43°. The main network towers for Tucson sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Tucson?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Tucson?
KUAS-TV is only 4.7 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Tucson?
Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.
TV channels in nearby Arizona cities
- South Tucson2.9 mi
- Catalina Foothills5.3 mi
- Flowing Wells7.0 mi
- Casas Adobes8.1 mi
- Drexel Heights8.2 mi
- Tucson Estates9.9 mi
- Summit11 mi
- Tanque Verde11 mi
- Oro Valley12 mi
- Valencia West13 mi
- Tortolita14 mi
- Vail17 mi
- Sahuarita18 mi
- East Sahuarita19 mi
- Catalina20 mi
- Corona de Tucson20 mi
- Picture Rocks21 mi
- Saddle Brooke22 mi
- Marana23 mi
- Three Points25 mi
- Green Valley26 mi
- Avra Valley27 mi
- Benson41 mi
- Tubac43 mi
More: all TV stations in Arizona · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Tucson; signal estimates ignore terrain.