TV stations in Florida

Florida has 250 licensed TV transmitters: 95 full-power, 31 Class A, 115 low-power and 9 translator stations. Translators make up 4% of the total, below the national share of 41%, a sign that most people live within reach of the main towers.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Miami (13), Orlando (9), Jacksonville (8) and Tampa (7). Those cities are where the main broadcast hubs sit, and most viewers aim their antennas toward one of them.

The most powerful full-power transmitter in Florida is WEAR-TV (ABC) in Pensacola, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is WTWC-TV near Tallahassee, 600 m (1,969 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 786 cities and towns in Florida. A typical place gets 23 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 20 miles away. 23% of places can use an indoor antenna, 60% need an amplified or attic antenna, 17% an outdoor directional antenna and 0% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 96%, CBS 97%, NBC 96% and Fox 97%.

Lakeland has the most stations in reach (40). Tavernier is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 68 miles away.