TV channels & antenna towers in Millbrae, California
Millbrae has 52 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 KNTV (NBC), 6.5 miles to the NNW.
Network channels in Millbrae
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKNTVNBC | 11 | 6.5 mi | 337° NNW | Strong | San Jose, CA |
| IONKKPX-TVION | 65 | 6.7 mi | 337° NNW | Strong | San Jose, CA |
| CBSKPIX-TVCBS | 5 | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| ABCKGO-TVABC | 7 | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| PBSKQEDPBS | 9 | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| FOXKTVUFox | 2 | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | Oakland, CA |
| CWKRON-TVCW | 4 | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| MeTVKPYXMeTV | 44.3 | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| UNIKDTV-DTUnivision | 14 | 29 mi | 104° ESE | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| MeTVKTLN-TVMeTV | 68.2 | 29 mi | 104° ESE | Fair | Palo Alto, CA |
| TLMKSTSTelemundo | 48 | 29 mi | 104° ESE | Good | San Jose, CA |
| ABCKXTVABC | 10 | 66 mi | 47° NE | Fair | Sacramento, CA |
| TLMKMAX-TVTelemundo | 31.7 | 66 mi | 47° NE | Good | Sacramento, CA |
| CBSKOVRCBS | 13 | 66 mi | 47° NE | Good | Stockton, CA |
| IONKSPX-TVION | 29 | 66 mi | 47° NE | Fair | Sacramento, CA |
| FOXKTXLFox | 40 | 67 mi | 46° NE | Good | Sacramento, CA |
| TLMKCSO-LDTelemundo | 33 | 67 mi | 46° NE | Poor | Sacramento, CA |
| PBSKVIEPBS | 6 | 67 mi | 46° NE | Fair | Sacramento, CA |
| CWKQCACW | 58 | 67 mi | 46° NE | Good | Stockton, CA |
| NBCKCRA-TVNBC | 3 | 67 mi | 46° NE | Good | Sacramento, CA |
Over-the-air TV in Millbrae
Millbrae is a town of about 22,800 people in California. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 52 licensed TV transmitters: 32 full-power, 2 Class A and 18 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 37 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 31 at good or strong strength.
22 of them are within 25 miles of Millbrae, 13 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 17 are more than 45 miles out. Seven of the 20 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 7 (KGO-TV), CBS on channel 5 (KPIX-TV), NBC on channel 11 (KNTV), Fox on channel 2 (KTVU), PBS on channel 9 (KQED), CW on channel 4 (KRON-TV), ION on channel 65 (KKPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 48 (KSTS), 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 Millbrae
Point your antenna NNW, at about 341°. The main network towers for Millbrae sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KPIX-TV, KGO-TV, KQED, KTVU and KRON-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 11 miles north of Millbrae (342° NNW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 19 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Millbrae at fair strength or better, 42% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across three other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Millbrae, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Millbrae
The farthest main network tower for Millbrae is KQED (PBS), 11 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
KNTV is only 6.5 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near Millbrae
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 32; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOFY-TVFull power | 6.6 mi | 337° NNW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| KCNZ-CDClass A | 6.6 mi | 337° NNW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| KQRM-LDLow power | 6.6 mi | 337° NNW | Good | Petaluma, CA |
| KPJC-LDLow power | 6.6 mi | 337° NNW | Weak | San Francisco, CA |
| KTNC-TVFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | Concord, CA |
| KMMC-LDLow power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| KEMO-TVFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | Fremont, CA |
| KQEHFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | San Jose, CA |
| KMTP-TVFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| KFSF-DTFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | Vallejo, CA |
| KRCBFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Good | Cotati, CA |
| KPJKFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | San Mateo, CA |
| KCNSFull power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| KDTS-LDLow power | 11 mi | 342° NNW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| KTVJ-LDLow power | 25 mi | 335° NNW | Weak | San Rafael, CA |
| KURK-LDLow power | 25 mi | 335° NNW | Weak | San Francisco, CA |
| KQTA-LDLow power | 25 mi | 335° NNW | Poor | San Francisco, CA |
| KTSFFull power | 29 mi | 104° ESE | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| KAXT-CDClass A | 29 mi | 104° ESE | Fair | San Franciso, San Jo, CA |
| KSCZ-LDLow power | 29 mi | 104° ESE | Fair | San Jose-San Francis, CA |
| KICU-TVFull power | 29 mi | 105° ESE | Good | San Jose, CA |
| KAAP-LDLow power | 29 mi | 105° ESE | Poor | Santa Cruz, CA |
| K02QX-DLow power | 45 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Morgan Hill, CA |
| KBKF-LDLow power | 45 mi | 138° SE | Poor | San Jose, CA |
| KMCE-LDLow power | 50 mi | 138° SE | Poor | Monterey, CA |
How Millbrae compares with the rest of California
With 37 stations at fair strength or better, Millbrae ranks 113th of 1,078 places in California: more than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 6.5 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.
22% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is South San Francisco, 4.0 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Millbrae: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 342° NNW, the direction of KQED (PBS), 11 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
- Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
- 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.
- Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is ABC in Millbrae, CA?
ABC is on channel 7 from KGO-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles NNW of Millbrae. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Millbrae, CA?
CBS is on channel 5 from KPIX-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles NNW of Millbrae. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Millbrae, CA?
NBC is on channel 11 from KNTV, broadcasting from 6.5 miles NNW of Millbrae. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Millbrae, CA?
Fox is on channel 2 from KTVU, broadcasting from 11 miles NNW of Millbrae. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is PBS in Millbrae, CA?
PBS is on channel 9 from KQED, broadcasting from 11 miles NNW of Millbrae. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Millbrae?
52 transmitters within 70 miles of Millbrae; around 37 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Millbrae?
Point your antenna NNW, at about 341°. The main network towers for Millbrae sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Millbrae?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Millbrae?
KNTV is only 6.5 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Millbrae?
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
- Burlingame1.5 mi
- Hillsborough1.7 mi
- San Bruno2.6 mi
- South San Francisco4.0 mi
- San Mateo4.2 mi
- Pacifica5.6 mi
- Foster City6.9 mi
- El Granada8.0 mi
- Belmont8.2 mi
- Visitacion Valley8.2 mi
- Daly City8.5 mi
- Redwood Shores8.9 mi
- San Carlos9.4 mi
- Half Moon Bay9.6 mi
- Noe Valley11 mi
- Mission District11 mi
- Redwood City11 mi
- San Francisco12 mi
- North Fair Oaks14 mi
- Chinatown14 mi
- Woodside14 mi
- Alameda14 mi
- Atherton14 mi
- Menlo Park15 mi
More: all TV stations in California · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Millbrae; signal estimates ignore terrain.