TV channels & antenna towers in San Diego, California

San Diego, California has a population of about 1,390,000. There are 18 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 6 full-power, 2 Class A, 8 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.

16 of them are within 25 miles of San Diego, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 1 is more than 45 miles out. San Diego is a broadcast hub in its own right: seven of the 9 network stations in range are licensed here.

The best-placed network stations 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, 90 miles to the northeast. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (good signal). 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around San Diego are in different directions: ABC 330° NNW (9.8 mi), NBC 96° E (13 mi), Fox 96° E (13 mi) and PBS 95° E (13 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, KFMB-TV, KBNT-CD and KGTV, transmit from the same tower site about 9.8 miles northwest of San Diego (330° NNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach San Diego at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for San Diego is KPBS (PBS), 13 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

KSWB-TV is only 13 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.

With 13 stations at fair strength or better, San Diego ranks 832nd of 1,078 places in California: fewer than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 9.8 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

22% of California's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.