TV channels & antenna towers in Orinda, California
Orinda 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, 17 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Orinda
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKPIX-TVCBS | 5 | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| ABCKGO-TVABC | 7 | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| PBSKQEDPBS | 9 | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| FOXKTVUFox | 2 | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | Oakland, CA |
| CWKRON-TVCW | 4 | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| MeTVKPYXMeTV | 44.3 | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| IONKKPX-TVION | 65 | 19 mi | 227° SW | Good | San Jose, CA |
| NBCKNTVNBC | 11 | 19 mi | 226° SW | Good | San Jose, CA |
| UNIKDTV-DTUnivision | 14 | 31 mi | 147° SSE | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| MeTVKTLN-TVMeTV | 68.2 | 31 mi | 147° SSE | Fair | Palo Alto, CA |
| TLMKSTSTelemundo | 48 | 31 mi | 147° SSE | Good | San Jose, CA |
| ABCKXTVABC | 10 | 45 mi | 56° NE | Fair | Sacramento, CA |
| TLMKMAX-TVTelemundo | 31.7 | 45 mi | 56° NE | Good | Sacramento, CA |
| CBSKOVRCBS | 13 | 45 mi | 56° NE | Good | Stockton, CA |
| IONKSPX-TVION | 29 | 45 mi | 55° NE | Good | Sacramento, CA |
| FOXKTXLFox | 40 | 46 mi | 53° NE | Good | Sacramento, CA |
| TLMKCSO-LDTelemundo | 33 | 46 mi | 53° NE | Poor | Sacramento, CA |
| PBSKVIEPBS | 6 | 46 mi | 53° NE | Fair | Sacramento, CA |
| CWKQCACW | 58 | 46 mi | 54° NE | Good | Stockton, CA |
| NBCKCRA-TVNBC | 3 | 46 mi | 54° NE | Good | Sacramento, CA |
| UNIKDTV-CDUnivision | 14 | 60 mi | 336° NNW | Poor | Santa Rosa, CA |
| TLMKMUM-CDTelemundo | 33 | 69 mi | 33° NNE | Poor | Sacramento, CA |
Over-the-air TV in Orinda
Orinda is a city of about 19,300 people in California. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 69 licensed TV transmitters: 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, 25 transmitters are within 25 miles, 15 between 25 and 45 miles, and 29 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.
The strongest network signals here 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 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 Orinda
Point your antenna WSW, at about 241°. The main network towers for Orinda 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 17 miles southwest of Orinda (241° WSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 19 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Orinda 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 Orinda, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Orinda
The farthest main network tower for Orinda is KQED (PBS), 17 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.
KCRA-TV (NBC), 46 miles northeast, 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 Orinda
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.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTNC-TVFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | Concord, CA |
| KMMC-LDLow power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Fair | San Francisco, CA |
| KEMO-TVFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | Fremont, CA |
| KQEHFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | San Jose, CA |
| KMTP-TVFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| KFSF-DTFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Good | Vallejo, CA |
| KRCBFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Fair | Cotati, CA |
| KPJKFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | San Mateo, CA |
| KCNSFull power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Strong | San Francisco, CA |
| KDTS-LDLow power | 17 mi | 241° WSW | Fair | San Francisco, CA |
| KOFY-TVFull power | 19 mi | 227° SW | Fair | San Francisco, CA |
| KCNZ-CDClass A | 19 mi | 227° SW | Fair | San Francisco, CA |
| KQRM-LDLow power | 19 mi | 227° SW | Fair | Petaluma, CA |
| KPJC-LDLow power | 19 mi | 227° SW | Poor | San Francisco, CA |
| KTVJ-LDLow power | 22 mi | 279° W | Fair | San Rafael, CA |
| KURK-LDLow power | 22 mi | 279° W | Weak | San Francisco, CA |
| KQTA-LDLow power | 22 mi | 279° W | Poor | San Francisco, CA |
| KTSFFull power | 31 mi | 147° SSE | Good | San Francisco, CA |
| KAXT-CDClass A | 31 mi | 147° SSE | Fair | San Franciso, San Jo, CA |
| KSCZ-LDLow power | 31 mi | 147° SSE | Weak | San Jose-San Francis, CA |
| KICU-TVFull power | 32 mi | 147° SSE | Good | San Jose, CA |
| KAAP-LDLow power | 32 mi | 147° SSE | Poor | Santa Cruz, CA |
| KZHD-LDLow power | 39 mi | 324° NW | Poor | Rohnert Park, CA |
| K06QM-DLow power | 39 mi | 324° NW | Poor | Petaluma, CA |
| KTFK-DTFull power | 45 mi | 56° NE | Good | Stockton, CA |
How Orinda compares with the rest of California
With 37 stations at fair strength or better, Orinda ranks 113th of 1,078 places in California: more than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 17 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 Berkeley, 5.1 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Orinda: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 241° WSW, the direction of KQED (PBS), 17 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 Orinda, CA?
ABC is on channel 7 from KGO-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles WSW of Orinda. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Orinda, CA?
CBS is on channel 5 from KPIX-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles WSW of Orinda. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Orinda, CA?
NBC is on channel 3 from KCRA-TV, broadcasting from 46 miles NE of Orinda. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Orinda, CA?
Fox is on channel 2 from KTVU, broadcasting from 17 miles WSW of Orinda. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is PBS in Orinda, CA?
PBS is on channel 9 from KQED, broadcasting from 17 miles WSW of Orinda. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Orinda?
69 transmitters within 70 miles of Orinda; 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 Orinda?
Point your antenna WSW, at about 241°. The main network towers for Orinda sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Orinda?
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. Picking up NBC from up to 46 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Orinda?
KCRA-TV (NBC), 46 miles northeast, 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 Orinda?
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
- Lafayette3.4 mi
- Moraga4.0 mi
- Piedmont4.6 mi
- Berkeley5.1 mi
- Saranap5.7 mi
- Kensington5.9 mi
- Albany6.5 mi
- Emeryville6.6 mi
- Walnut Creek6.6 mi
- Oakland7.1 mi
- Contra Costa Centre7.5 mi
- Waldon7.6 mi
- El Cerrito7.7 mi
- Pleasant Hill8.1 mi
- Alamo8.3 mi
- Alameda8.6 mi
- El Sobrante9.3 mi
- Richmond10 mi
- Martinez10 mi
- Danville11 mi
- San Leandro11 mi
- Concord11 mi
- San Pablo11 mi
- Pinole11 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 Orinda; signal estimates ignore terrain.