TV stations in California

California has 423 licensed TV transmitters: 108 full-power, 45 Class A, 181 low-power and 89 translator stations. Translators make up 21% of the total, below the national share of 41%, a sign that most people live within reach of the main towers.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Los Angeles (15), San Francisco (11), Sacramento (10) and Bakersfield (9). 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 California is KRCR-TV (ABC) in Redding, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is KBAK-TV near Bakersfield, 1,128 m (3,701 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 1,078 cities and towns in California. A typical place gets 25 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 22 miles away. 22% of places can use an indoor antenna, 48% need an amplified or attic antenna, 30% 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 96%, CBS 84%, NBC 95% and Fox 97%.

Santa Clara has the most stations in reach (42). Brooktrails is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 67 miles away.