TV channels & antenna towers in Columbia, California

With roughly 2,300 residents, Columbia is a small community in California. Our map shows 28 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 3 Class A and 14 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 9 between 25 and 45 miles, and 18 farther out. Seven of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Sacramento, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Sacramento's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 10 (KXTV), CBS on channel 13 (KOVR), NBC on channel 3 (KCRA-TV), Fox on channel 40 (KTXL), PBS on channel 6 (KVIE), CW on channel 58 (KQCA), ION on channel 29 (KSPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 31.7 (KMAX-TV) and Univision on channel 19 (KUVS-DT). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (strong signal). 2 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Point your antenna WNW, at about 285°. The main network towers for Columbia sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Eight network stations, KQCA, KCRA-TV, KXTV, KMAX-TV and KOVR and others, transmit from the same tower site about 61 miles west of Columbia (285° WNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Columbia at fair strength or better, all arrive from the west, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

The farthest main network tower for Columbia is KVIE (PBS), 62 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 10 stations at fair strength or better, Columbia ranks 923rd of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 19 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 Oakdale, 31 miles away.