TV channels & antenna towers in North Highlands, California

North Highlands has 34 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 21 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KMUM-CD (Telemundo), 5.8 miles to the WNW.

34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
5.8 mito the closest tower
42,694population

Network channels in North Highlands

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
TLMKMUM-CDTelemundo33 5.8 mi285° WNW GoodSacramento, CA
FOXKTXLFox40 30 mi194° SSW GoodSacramento, CA
TLMKCSO-LDTelemundo33 30 mi194° SSW WeakSacramento, CA
PBSKVIEPBS6 30 mi194° SSW FairSacramento, CA
CWKQCACW58 30 mi193° SSW GoodStockton, CA
NBCKCRA-TVNBC3 30 mi193° SSW GoodSacramento, CA
IONKSPX-TVION29 31 mi193° SSW GoodSacramento, CA
ABCKXTVABC10 32 mi193° SSW FairSacramento, CA
TLMKMAX-TVTelemundo31.7 32 mi193° SSW GoodSacramento, CA
CBSKOVRCBS13 32 mi193° SSW GoodStockton, CA
UNIKUVS-DTUnivision19 53 mi138° SE GoodModesto, CA
UNIKDTV-CDUnivision14 68 mi269° W PoorSanta Rosa, CA

Over-the-air TV in North Highlands

North Highlands, California has a population of about 42,700. Our map shows 34 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 6 Class A, 15 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 21 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 15 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 12 transmitters are within 25 miles, 13 between 25 and 45 miles, and 9 farther out. Eight of the 12 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 (good signal). 2 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 North Highlands

Point your antenna SSW, at about 193°. The main network towers for North Highlands 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 30 miles south of North Highlands (194° SSW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach North Highlands at fair strength or better, 80% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for North Highlands

The farthest main network tower for North Highlands is KOVR (CBS), 32 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

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 North Highlands

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KEFM-LDLow power5.8 mi 285° WNWFairSacramento, CA
KMSX-LDLow power5.8 mi 285° WNWGoodSacramento, CA
KSTV-LDLow power6.3 mi 246° WSWGoodSacramento, CA
KRJR-LDLow power6.3 mi 246° WSWFairSacramento, CA
KAHC-LDLow power6.3 mi 246° WSWGoodSacramento, CA
KFMS-LDLow power6.3 mi 246° WSWGoodSacramento, CA
KBTV-CDClass A10 mi 215° SWGoodSacramento, CA
KEZT-CDClass A10 mi 215° SWGoodSacramento, CA
K20JX-DClass A11 mi 16° NNEFairSacramento, CA
KSAO-LDLow power15 mi 100° EFairSacramento, CA
K04QR-DLow power15 mi 100° EWeakEsparto, CA
KTFK-DTFull power32 mi 193° SSWGoodStockton, CA
KEDSFull power43 mi 326° NNWWeakColusa, CA
KKPM-CDClass A43 mi 326° NNWWeakYuba City, CA
KYUB-LDLow power43 mi 326° NNWPoorSacramento, CA
K33QW-DTranslator55 mi 348° NNWPoorOroville, CA
K04QC-DLow power55 mi 348° NNWPoorPalermo, CA
K26PQ-DLow power55 mi 348° NNWPoorOroville, CA
K11XS-DLow power56 mi 165° SSEPoorModesto, CA
KACA-LPLow power67 mi 172° SPoorModesto, CA
K31ND-DTranslator67 mi 356° NPoorOroville, CA
KFTY-LDLow power68 mi 269° WPoorMiddletown, CA

How North Highlands compares with the rest of California

With 21 stations at fair strength or better, North Highlands ranks 606th of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 5.8 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 Citrus Heights, 5.1 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in North Highlands: 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 193° SSW, the direction of KOVR (CBS), 32 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 21 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 North Highlands, CA?

ABC is on channel 10 from KXTV, broadcasting from 32 miles SSW of North Highlands. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CBS in North Highlands, CA?

CBS is on channel 13 from KOVR, broadcasting from 32 miles SSW of North Highlands. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in North Highlands, CA?

NBC is on channel 3 from KCRA-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles SSW of North Highlands. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in North Highlands, CA?

Fox is on channel 40 from KTXL, broadcasting from 30 miles SSW of North Highlands. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is PBS in North Highlands, CA?

PBS is on channel 6 from KVIE, broadcasting from 30 miles SSW of North Highlands. Estimated signal: fair.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in North Highlands?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of North Highlands; around 21 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 North Highlands?

Point your antenna SSW, at about 193°. The main network towers for North Highlands sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in North Highlands?

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.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in North Highlands?

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 North Highlands?

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 North Highlands; signal estimates ignore terrain.