TV channels & antenna towers in California City, California

California City is a city of about 13,300 people in California. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 92 licensed TV transmitters: 28 full-power, 11 Class A, 24 low-power and 29 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 27 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 14 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 24 between 25 and 45 miles, and 68 farther out. Seven of the 19 network stations in range are licensed to Bakersfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Bakersfield's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (KABC-TV), CBS on channel 2 (KCBS-TV), NBC on channel 4 (KNBC), Fox on channel 58.2 (KBAK-TV), PBS on channel 58 (KLCS), CW on channel 5 (KTLA), ION on channel 30 (KPXN-TV), Telemundo on channel 52 (KVEA), Univision on channel 34 (KMEX-DT), MeTV on channel 56.3 (KDOC-TV) and Trinity on channel 40 (KTBN-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 13 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 California City are in different directions: ABC 184° S (62 mi), CBS 185° S (62 mi), NBC 184° S (62 mi), Fox 304° WNW (41 mi) and PBS 184° S (62 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, KBAK-TV, KBFX-CD and KERO-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 41 miles northwest of California City (304° WNW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 14 full-power and Class A network signals that reach California City at fair strength or better, 79% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for California City is KLCS (PBS), 62 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

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 27 stations at fair strength or better, California City ranks 488th of 1,078 places in California: more than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 41 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 Lancaster, 31 miles away.