TV channels & antenna towers in Davis, California

Davis has 57 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 32 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KBTV-CD, 14 miles to the E.

57TV transmitters within 70 miles
10networks over the air
14 mito the closest tower
67,666population

Network channels in Davis

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
TLMKMUM-CDTelemundo33 18 mi52° NE FairSacramento, CA
FOXKTXLFox40 23 mi146° SE StrongSacramento, CA
TLMKCSO-LDTelemundo33 23 mi146° SE WeakSacramento, CA
PBSKVIEPBS6 23 mi146° SE FairSacramento, CA
CWKQCACW58 24 mi145° SE GoodStockton, CA
NBCKCRA-TVNBC3 24 mi145° SE StrongSacramento, CA
IONKSPX-TVION29 24 mi148° SSE StrongSacramento, CA
ABCKXTVABC10 25 mi148° SSE FairSacramento, CA
TLMKMAX-TVTelemundo31.7 25 mi148° SSE StrongSacramento, CA
CBSKOVRCBS13 25 mi148° SSE StrongStockton, CA
UNIKDTV-CDUnivision14 49 mi280° W PoorSanta Rosa, CA
UNIKUVS-DTUnivision19 62 mi118° ESE GoodModesto, CA
CBSKPIX-TVCBS5 67 mi216° SW GoodSan Francisco, CA
ABCKGO-TVABC7 67 mi216° SW FairSan Francisco, CA
PBSKQEDPBS9 67 mi216° SW GoodSan Francisco, CA
FOXKTVUFox2 67 mi216° SW GoodOakland, CA
CWKRON-TVCW4 67 mi216° SW FairSan Francisco, CA
MeTVKPYXMeTV44.3 67 mi216° SW GoodSan Francisco, CA

Over-the-air TV in Davis

Davis is a city of about 67,700 people in California. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 57 licensed TV transmitters: 25 full-power, 6 Class A, 25 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 32 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 17 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 19 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 35 farther out. Eight of the 18 network stations in range are licensed to Sacramento, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Sacramento's stations.

The strongest network signals here 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 9 (KQED), CW on channel 58 (KQCA), ION on channel 29 (KSPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 31.7 (KMAX-TV), Univision on channel 19 (KUVS-DT) and MeTV on channel 44.3 (KPYX). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (good signal). 10 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 Davis

Point your antenna SSE, at about 147°. The main network towers for Davis sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Five network stations, KTXL, KVIE, KQCA, KCRA-TV and KSPX-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 23 miles southeast of Davis (146° SE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 16 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Davis at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Davis

The farthest main network tower for Davis is KOVR (CBS), 25 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

KQED (PBS), 67 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Davis

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 39; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KBTV-CDClass A14 mi 84° EFairSacramento, CA
KEZT-CDClass A14 mi 84° EFairSacramento, CA
KSTV-LDLow power16 mi 63° ENEFairSacramento, CA
KRJR-LDLow power16 mi 63° ENEFairSacramento, CA
KAHC-LDLow power16 mi 63° ENEFairSacramento, CA
KFMS-LDLow power16 mi 63° ENEFairSacramento, CA
KEFM-LDLow power18 mi 52° NEFairSacramento, CA
KMSX-LDLow power18 mi 52° NEFairSacramento, CA
KTFK-DTFull power25 mi 148° SSEGoodStockton, CA
K20JX-DClass A30 mi 49° NEWeakSacramento, CA
KSAO-LDLow power35 mi 78° ENEWeakSacramento, CA
K04QR-DLow power35 mi 78° ENEPoorEsparto, CA
KEDSFull power46 mi 355° NWeakColusa, CA
KKPM-CDClass A46 mi 355° NPoorYuba City, CA
KYUB-LDLow power46 mi 355° NPoorSacramento, CA
KZHD-LDLow power49 mi 253° WSWPoorRohnert Park, CA
K06QM-DLow power49 mi 253° WSWPoorPetaluma, CA
KFTY-LDLow power49 mi 280° WPoorMiddletown, CA
KDAS-LDLow power50 mi 267° WPoorSanta Rosa, CA
KUKR-LDLow power50 mi 267° WPoorSanta Rosa, CA
K11XS-DLow power56 mi 142° SEPoorModesto, CA
KTVJ-LDLow power63 mi 227° SWPoorSan Rafael, CA
KURK-LDLow power63 mi 227° SWPoorSan Francisco, CA
KQTA-LDLow power63 mi 227° SWPoorSan Francisco, CA
KACA-LPLow power64 mi 152° SSEPoorModesto, CA

How Davis compares with the rest of California

With 32 stations at fair strength or better, Davis ranks 352nd of 1,078 places in California: more than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 18 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

48% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Sacramento, 14 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Davis: step by step

  1. Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
  2. Point it toward 148° SSE, the direction of KOVR (CBS), 25 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 32 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Davis, CA?

ABC is on channel 10 from KXTV, broadcasting from 25 miles SSE of Davis. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CBS in Davis, CA?

CBS is on channel 13 from KOVR, broadcasting from 25 miles SSE of Davis. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Davis, CA?

NBC is on channel 3 from KCRA-TV, broadcasting from 24 miles SE of Davis. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Davis, CA?

Fox is on channel 40 from KTXL, broadcasting from 23 miles SE of Davis. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is PBS in Davis, CA?

PBS is on channel 9 from KQED, broadcasting from 67 miles SW of Davis. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Davis?

57 transmitters within 70 miles of Davis; around 32 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Davis?

Point your antenna SSE, at about 147°. The main network towers for Davis sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Davis?

Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice. Picking up PBS from up to 67 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Davis?

KQED (PBS), 67 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Davis?

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 California cities

More: all TV stations in California · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Davis; signal estimates ignore terrain.