TV channels & antenna towers in Lafayette, California

Lafayette has 69 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 37 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KTNC-TV, 20 miles to the WSW.

69TV transmitters within 70 miles
10networks over the air
20 mito the closest tower
25,843population

Network channels in Lafayette

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CBSKPIX-TVCBS5 20 mi244° WSW StrongSan Francisco, CA
ABCKGO-TVABC7 20 mi244° WSW GoodSan Francisco, CA
PBSKQEDPBS9 20 mi244° WSW StrongSan Francisco, CA
FOXKTVUFox2 20 mi244° WSW StrongOakland, CA
CWKRON-TVCW4 20 mi244° WSW GoodSan Francisco, CA
MeTVKPYXMeTV44.3 20 mi244° WSW StrongSan Francisco, CA
IONKKPX-TVION65 22 mi232° SW GoodSan Jose, CA
NBCKNTVNBC11 22 mi231° SW GoodSan Jose, CA
UNIKDTV-DTUnivision14 30 mi153° SSE GoodSan Francisco, CA
MeTVKTLN-TVMeTV68.2 30 mi153° SSE FairPalo Alto, CA
TLMKSTSTelemundo48 30 mi153° SSE GoodSan Jose, CA
ABCKXTVABC10 42 mi54° NE FairSacramento, CA
TLMKMAX-TVTelemundo31.7 42 mi54° NE GoodSacramento, CA
CBSKOVRCBS13 42 mi54° NE GoodStockton, CA
IONKSPX-TVION29 42 mi53° NE GoodSacramento, CA
FOXKTXLFox40 43 mi51° NE GoodSacramento, CA
TLMKCSO-LDTelemundo33 43 mi51° NE PoorSacramento, CA
PBSKVIEPBS6 43 mi51° NE FairSacramento, CA
CWKQCACW58 43 mi52° NE GoodStockton, CA
NBCKCRA-TVNBC3 43 mi52° NE GoodSacramento, CA
UNIKDTV-CDUnivision14 61 mi333° NNW PoorSanta Rosa, CA
TLMKMUM-CDTelemundo33 67 mi31° NNE PoorSacramento, CA

Over-the-air TV in Lafayette

Lafayette is a town of about 25,800 people in California. There are 69 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 32 full-power, 6 Class A and 31 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 37 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 26 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 22 transmitters are within 25 miles, 23 between 25 and 45 miles, and 24 farther out. Eight of the 22 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 7 (KGO-TV), CBS on channel 5 (KPIX-TV), NBC on channel 3 (KCRA-TV), Fox on channel 2 (KTVU), PBS on channel 9 (KQED), CW on channel 58 (KQCA), ION on channel 65 (KKPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 31.7 (KMAX-TV), Univision on channel 14 (KDTV-DT) and MeTV on channel 44.3 (KPYX). 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.

Which way to point your antenna in Lafayette

The main network towers around Lafayette are in different directions: ABC 244° WSW (20 mi), CBS 244° WSW (20 mi), NBC 52° NE (43 mi), Fox 244° WSW (20 mi) and PBS 244° WSW (20 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Six network stations, KPIX-TV, KGO-TV, KQED, KTVU and KRON-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 20 miles southwest of Lafayette (244° WSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 19 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lafayette at fair strength or better, 42% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Lafayette

The farthest main network tower for Lafayette is KCRA-TV (NBC), 43 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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 Lafayette

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 47; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KTNC-TVFull power20 mi 244° WSWStrongConcord, CA
KMMC-LDLow power20 mi 244° WSWFairSan Francisco, CA
KEMO-TVFull power20 mi 244° WSWStrongFremont, CA
KQEHFull power20 mi 244° WSWStrongSan Jose, CA
KMTP-TVFull power20 mi 244° WSWStrongSan Francisco, CA
KFSF-DTFull power20 mi 244° WSWGoodVallejo, CA
KRCBFull power20 mi 244° WSWFairCotati, CA
KPJKFull power20 mi 244° WSWGoodSan Mateo, CA
KCNSFull power20 mi 244° WSWStrongSan Francisco, CA
KDTS-LDLow power20 mi 244° WSWFairSan Francisco, CA
KOFY-TVFull power22 mi 232° SWFairSan Francisco, CA
KCNZ-CDClass A22 mi 232° SWFairSan Francisco, CA
KQRM-LDLow power22 mi 232° SWFairPetaluma, CA
KPJC-LDLow power22 mi 232° SWPoorSan Francisco, CA
KTVJ-LDLow power26 mi 277° WWeakSan Rafael, CA
KURK-LDLow power26 mi 277° WWeakSan Francisco, CA
KQTA-LDLow power26 mi 277° WPoorSan Francisco, CA
KTSFFull power30 mi 153° SSEGoodSan Francisco, CA
KAXT-CDClass A30 mi 153° SSEFairSan Franciso, San Jo, CA
KSCZ-LDLow power30 mi 153° SSEFairSan Jose-San Francis, CA
KICU-TVFull power31 mi 153° SSEGoodSan Jose, CA
KAAP-LDLow power31 mi 153° SSEPoorSanta Cruz, CA
KZHD-LDLow power40 mi 320° NWPoorRohnert Park, CA
K06QM-DLow power40 mi 320° NWPoorPetaluma, CA
KTFK-DTFull power42 mi 54° NEGoodStockton, CA

How Lafayette compares with the rest of California

With 37 stations at fair strength or better, Lafayette ranks 113th of 1,078 places in California: more than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 20 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 Walnut Creek, 3.2 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Lafayette: 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 52° NE, the direction of KCRA-TV (NBC), 43 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 37 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 Lafayette, CA?

ABC is on channel 7 from KGO-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles WSW of Lafayette. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Lafayette, CA?

CBS is on channel 5 from KPIX-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles WSW of Lafayette. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Lafayette, CA?

NBC is on channel 3 from KCRA-TV, broadcasting from 43 miles NE of Lafayette. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Lafayette, CA?

Fox is on channel 2 from KTVU, broadcasting from 20 miles WSW of Lafayette. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is PBS in Lafayette, CA?

PBS is on channel 9 from KQED, broadcasting from 20 miles WSW of Lafayette. Estimated signal: strong.

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

69 transmitters within 70 miles of Lafayette; around 37 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 Lafayette?

The main network towers around Lafayette are in different directions: ABC 244° WSW (20 mi), CBS 244° WSW (20 mi), NBC 52° NE (43 mi), Fox 244° WSW (20 mi) and PBS 244° WSW (20 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Lafayette?

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. The towers are spread over about 168° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Lafayette?

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.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Lafayette?

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 Lafayette; signal estimates ignore terrain.