TV channels & antenna towers in Poplar-Cotton Center, California

Poplar-Cotton Center is a small community of about 2,470 people in California. There are 35 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 7 Class A, 17 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 5 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 29 farther out. Seven of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to Bakersfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Bakersfield's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 23 (KERO-TV), Fox on channel 26 (KMPH-TV), CW on channel 17.2 (KGET-TV), ION on channel 14.6 (KXBF-LD), Univision on channel 39 (KABE-CD) and MeTV on channel 34.2 (KCBT-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KGPE in Fresno, CA, 72 miles to the north. No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KSEE in Fresno, CA, 72 miles to the north. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Univision (very weak signal). 5 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Poplar-Cotton Center are in different directions: ABC 143° SE (52 mi) and Fox 20° NNE (45 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, KERO-TV, KBAK-TV and KBFX-CD, transmit from the same tower site about 52 miles southeast of Poplar-Cotton Center (143° SE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Poplar-Cotton Center at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for Poplar-Cotton Center is KERO-TV (ABC), 52 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Poplar-Cotton Center ranks 959th of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 45 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

30% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Porterville, 7.4 miles away.