TV channels & antenna towers in Atwater, California

Atwater, California has a population of about 29,200. Our map shows 46 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 3 Class A, 27 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 2 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 4 transmitters are within 25 miles, 9 between 25 and 45 miles, and 33 farther out. Three of the 15 network stations in range are licensed to Fresno, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Fresno's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 30 (KFSN-TV), CBS on channel 47 (KGPE), NBC on channel 24 (KSEE), Fox on channel 26 (KMPH-CD), PBS on channel 25 (KQET), CW on channel 59 (KFRE-TV), ION on channel 13 (KVBC-LD), Telemundo on channel 51 (KNSO), Univision on channel 19 (KUVS-DT) and MeTV on channel 43.6 (KGMC). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair 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.

The main network towers around Atwater are in different directions: ABC 106° ESE (67 mi), CBS 106° ESE (68 mi), NBC 106° ESE (68 mi), Fox 68° ENE (34 mi) and PBS 231° SW (64 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Seven network stations, KFSN-TV, KFRE-TV, KGMC, KFTV-DT and KNSO and others, transmit from the same tower site about 67 miles east of Atwater (106° ESE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Atwater at fair strength or better, 80% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across two other directions.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Atwater, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for Atwater is KSEE (NBC), 68 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Atwater ranks 790th of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 34 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

30% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Merced, 7.6 miles away.