TV channels & antenna towers in South Pasadena, California
South Pasadena has 62 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 40 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KIIO-LD, 4.3 miles to the NW.
Network channels in South Pasadena
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVKAZA-TVMeTV | 54.1 | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Good | Avalon, CA |
| PBSKLCSPBS | 58 | 9.0 mi | 34° NE | Strong | Los Angeles, CA |
| FOXKTTVFox | 11 | 9.0 mi | 33° NNE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| TBNKTBN-TVTrinity | 40 | 9.0 mi | 34° NNE | Strong | Santa Ana, CA |
| TLMKVEATelemundo | 52 | 9.0 mi | 33° NNE | Strong | Corona, CA |
| NBCKNBCNBC | 4 | 9.0 mi | 33° NNE | Strong | Los Angeles, CA |
| IONKPXN-TVION | 30 | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Strong | San Bernardino, CA |
| UNIKMEX-DTUnivision | 34 | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Strong | Los Angeles, CA |
| ABCKABC-TVABC | 7 | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| CWKTLACW | 5 | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Strong | Los Angeles, CA |
| CBSKCBS-TVCBS | 2 | 9.2 mi | 29° NNE | Strong | Los Angeles, CA |
| MeTVKDOC-TVMeTV | 56.3 | 9.2 mi | 29° NNE | Good | Anaheim, CA |
| PBSKVCR-DTPBS | 24 | 51 mi | 102° ESE | Fair | San Bernardino, CA |
Over-the-air TV in South Pasadena
With roughly 26,200 residents, South Pasadena is a city in California. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 62 licensed TV transmitters: 25 full-power, 6 Class A, 21 low-power and 10 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 40 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 31 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 38 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 22 farther out. Seven of the 13 network stations in range are licensed to Los Angeles, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Los Angeles's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (KABC-TV), CBS on channel 2 (KCBS-TV), NBC on channel 4 (KNBC), Fox on channel 11 (KTTV), PBS on channel 58 (KLCS), CW on channel 5 (KTLA), ION on channel 30 (KPXN-TV), Telemundo on channel 52 (KVEA), Univision on channel 34 (KMEX-DT), MeTV on channel 56.3 (KDOC-TV) and Trinity on channel 40 (KTBN-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 12 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 South Pasadena
Point your antenna NNE, at about 32°. The main network towers for South Pasadena sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
12 network stations, KAZA-TV, KLCS, KTTV, KTBN-TV and KVEA and others, transmit from the same tower site about 8.4 miles northeast of South Pasadena (37° NE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 13 full-power and Class A network signals that reach South Pasadena at fair strength or better, 92% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from South Pasadena, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for South Pasadena
The farthest main network tower for South Pasadena is KCBS-TV (CBS), 9.2 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
KOCE-TV is only 9.0 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.
Other stations near South Pasadena
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 49; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KIIO-LDLow power | 4.3 mi | 321° NW | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| KZNO-LDLow power | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Fair | Los Angeles, CA |
| KSFV-CDClass A | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| KPOM-CDClass A | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Good | Ontario, CA |
| KSKJ-CDClass A | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Good | Van Nuys, CA |
| KWHY-TVFull power | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| KBEHFull power | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Good | Garden Grove, CA |
| KHTV-CDClass A | 8.4 mi | 37° NE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| KOCE-TVFull power | 9.0 mi | 34° NNE | Strong | Huntington Beach, CA |
| KSCIFull power | 9.0 mi | 34° NNE | Strong | Long Beach, CA |
| KCETFull power | 9.0 mi | 34° NE | Strong | Los Angeles, CA |
| KCOP-TVFull power | 9.0 mi | 33° NNE | Strong | Los Angeles, CA |
| KJLAFull power | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Strong | Ventura, CA |
| KXLAFull power | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Strong | Rancho Palos Verdes, CA |
| KFLA-LDLow power | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Fair | Los Angeles, CA |
| KILMFull power | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Strong | Inglewood, CA |
| KFTR-DTFull power | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Strong | Ontario, CA |
| KCAL-TVFull power | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| KRCAFull power | 9.0 mi | 32° NNE | Good | Riverside, CA |
| KNET-CDClass A | 9.2 mi | 29° NNE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| KTAV-LDLow power | 9.2 mi | 29° NNE | Fair | Los Angeles, CA |
| KHIZ-LDTranslator | 9.2 mi | 29° NNE | Fair | Los Angeles, CA |
| KNLA-CDClass A | 9.2 mi | 29° NNE | Good | Los Angeles, CA |
| KEDD-LDLow power | 14 mi | 271° W | Fair | Los Angeles, CA |
| KSGA-LDLow power | 20 mi | 84° E | Fair | Los Angeles, CA |
How South Pasadena compares with the rest of California
With 40 stations at fair strength or better, South Pasadena ranks 8th of 1,078 places in California: more than the typical California town (25). Its nearest major network tower is 8.4 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 Alhambra, 2.0 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in South Pasadena: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 29° NNE, the direction of KCBS-TV (CBS), 9.2 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 40 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 South Pasadena, CA?
ABC is on channel 7 from KABC-TV, broadcasting from 9.0 miles NNE of South Pasadena. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in South Pasadena, CA?
CBS is on channel 2 from KCBS-TV, broadcasting from 9.2 miles NNE of South Pasadena. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in South Pasadena, CA?
NBC is on channel 4 from KNBC, broadcasting from 9.0 miles NNE of South Pasadena. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in South Pasadena, CA?
Fox is on channel 11 from KTTV, broadcasting from 9.0 miles NNE of South Pasadena. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is PBS in South Pasadena, CA?
PBS is on channel 58 from KLCS, broadcasting from 9.0 miles NE of South Pasadena. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in South Pasadena?
62 transmitters within 70 miles of South Pasadena; around 40 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 South Pasadena?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 32°. The main network towers for South Pasadena sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in South Pasadena?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in South Pasadena?
KOCE-TV is only 9.0 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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in South Pasadena?
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
- Alhambra2.0 mi
- Pasadena2.2 mi
- San Marino2.5 mi
- San Gabriel2.9 mi
- East San Gabriel3.8 mi
- Monterey Park4.0 mi
- East Pasadena4.6 mi
- Rosemead5.1 mi
- Altadena5.2 mi
- Temple City5.3 mi
- South San Gabriel5.6 mi
- La Cañada Flintridge6.1 mi
- Glendale6.3 mi
- Sierra Madre6.4 mi
- East Los Angeles6.5 mi
- Boyle Heights6.5 mi
- Arcadia6.8 mi
- Echo Park6.8 mi
- Los Angeles6.9 mi
- Silver Lake7.2 mi
- South El Monte7.4 mi
- El Monte7.8 mi
- Montebello7.8 mi
- Commerce8.0 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 South Pasadena; signal estimates ignore terrain.