TV channels & antenna towers in Poway, California
Poway has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS, CW and Telemundo. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KZTC-LD, 4.9 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Poway
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIKBNT-CDUnivision | 17 | 15 mi | 235° SW | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| UNIKDTF-LDUnivision | 36.17 | 15 mi | 235° SW | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| ABCKGTVABC | 10 | 15 mi | 235° SW | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| CWKFMB-TVCW | 8.2 | 15 mi | 235° SW | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| PBSKPBSPBS | 15 | 19 mi | 162° SSE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| NBCKNSDNBC | 39 | 19 mi | 162° SSE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| TLMKUAN-LDTelemundo | 48 | 19 mi | 162° SSE | Good | Poway, Etc., CA |
| FOXKSWB-TVFox | 69 | 19 mi | 163° SSE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| UNIKHAX-LDUnivision | 49 | 20 mi | 333° NNW | Weak | Vista, CA |
Over-the-air TV in Poway
With roughly 50,200 residents, Poway is a city in California. Our map shows 20 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 6 full-power, 2 Class A, 10 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
17 of them are within 25 miles of Poway, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are more than 45 miles out. Seven of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to San Diego, so most of the network channels you will find here come from San Diego's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 10 (KGTV), NBC on channel 39 (KNSD), Fox on channel 69 (KSWB-TV), PBS on channel 15 (KPBS), CW on channel 8.2 (KFMB-TV), Telemundo on channel 48 (KUAN-LD) and Univision on channel 17 (KBNT-CD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KPSP-CD in Cathedral City, CA, 71 miles to the northeast. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (fair signal). 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.
Which way to point your antenna in Poway
The main network towers around Poway are in different directions: ABC 235° SW (15 mi), NBC 162° SSE (19 mi), Fox 163° SSE (19 mi) and PBS 162° SSE (19 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Three network stations, KBNT-CD, KGTV and KFMB-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 15 miles southwest of Poway (235° SW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Poway at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Poway, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Poway
The farthest main network tower for Poway is KSWB-TV (Fox), 19 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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 Poway
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KZTC-LDLow power | 4.9 mi | 49° NE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| KVSD-LDLow power | 4.9 mi | 49° NE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| KSKT-CDClass A | 4.9 mi | 49° NE | Good | San Marcos, CA |
| KSDX-LDLow power | 19 mi | 162° SSE | Weak | San Diego, CA |
| KUSI-TVFull power | 19 mi | 162° SSE | Good | San Diego, CA |
| KSDY-LDLow power | 19 mi | 163° SSE | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| KRPE-LDLow power | 19 mi | 163° SSE | Weak | San Diego, CA |
| KZSD-LDLow power | 19 mi | 163° SSE | Fair | San Diego, CA |
| K03JB-DTranslator | 44 mi | 352° N | Poor | Temecula, CA |
| K21MO-DLow power | 55 mi | 17° NNE | Poor | Riverside, CA |
| K02RL-DLow power | 70 mi | 41° NE | Poor | Indio, CA |
How Poway compares with the rest of California
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Poway ranks 790th of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 15 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 Escondido, 11 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Poway: step by step
- 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.
- Point it toward 163° SSE, the direction of KSWB-TV (Fox), 19 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 14 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 Poway, CA?
ABC is on channel 10 from KGTV, broadcasting from 15 miles SW of Poway. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Poway, CA?
NBC is on channel 39 from KNSD, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Poway. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Poway, CA?
Fox is on channel 69 from KSWB-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Poway. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is PBS in Poway, CA?
PBS is on channel 15 from KPBS, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Poway. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Poway, CA?
CW is on channel 8.2 from KFMB-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles SW of Poway. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Poway?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Poway; around 14 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 Poway?
The main network towers around Poway are in different directions: ABC 235° SW (15 mi), NBC 162° SSE (19 mi), Fox 163° SSE (19 mi) and PBS 162° SSE (19 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Poway?
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 73° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Poway?
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 Poway?
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
- Rancho Penasquitos4.6 mi
- Mira Mesa7.1 mi
- Eucalyptus Hills7.7 mi
- Santee9.3 mi
- Lakeside9.8 mi
- Sorrento Valley10 mi
- Winter Gardens11 mi
- Ramona11 mi
- Escondido11 mi
- Bostonia12 mi
- El Cajon12 mi
- La Mesa13 mi
- Solana Beach14 mi
- Casa de Oro-Mount Helix14 mi
- San Marcos15 mi
- San Diego Country Estates15 mi
- Spring Valley15 mi
- Lemon Grove15 mi
- Encinitas16 mi
- La Jolla16 mi
- Rancho San Diego16 mi
- Valley Center18 mi
- La Presa18 mi
- Alpine18 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 Poway; signal estimates ignore terrain.