TV channels & antenna towers in Cortez, Florida
Cortez has 31 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 18 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWSB (ABC), 21 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Cortez
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWWSBABC | 40 | 21 mi | 72° ENE | Good | Sarasota, FL |
| IONWXPX-TVION | 66 | 36 mi | 47° NE | Good | Bradenton, FL |
| CBSWTSPCBS | 10 | 36 mi | 47° NE | Fair | St. Petersburg, FL |
| UNIWVEA-TVUnivision | 50 | 36 mi | 47° NE | Good | Venice, FL |
| MeTVWMOR-TVMeTV | 32.2 | 36 mi | 47° NE | Good | Lakeland, FL |
| FOXWTVTFox | 13 | 36 mi | 48° NE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| CWWTTACW | 38 | 37 mi | 45° NE | Fair | St. Petersburg, FL |
| ABCWFTS-TVABC | 28 | 37 mi | 45° NE | Good | Tampa, FL |
| NBCWFLA-TVNBC | 8 | 37 mi | 45° NE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| PBSWEDUPBS | 3.1 | 37 mi | 45° NE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| UNIWVEA-TVUnivision | 50 | 37 mi | 45° NE | Good | Tampa, FL |
| TLMWRMD-CDTelemundo | 49 | 37 mi | 45° NE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
Over-the-air TV in Cortez
With roughly 4,240 residents, Cortez is a town in Florida. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 31 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 5 Class A and 12 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 18 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 27 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther out. Six of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Tampa, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Tampa's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 28 (WFTS-TV), CBS on channel 10 (WTSP), NBC on channel 8 (WFLA-TV), Fox on channel 13 (WTVT), PBS on channel 3.1 (WEDU), CW on channel 38 (WTTA), ION on channel 66 (WXPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 49 (WRMD-CD), Univision on channel 50 (WVEA-TV) and MeTV on channel 32.2 (WMOR-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (weak signal) and Univision (good signal). 3 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 Cortez
Point your antenna NE, at about 46°. The main network towers for Cortez sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
11 network stations, WXPX-TV, WTSP, WVEA-TV, WMOR-TV and WTVT and others, transmit from the same tower site about 36 miles northeast of Cortez (47° NE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 11 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Cortez at fair strength or better, 91% 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 Cortez, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Cortez
The farthest main network tower for Cortez is WEDU (PBS), 37 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
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 Cortez
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W05CO-DLow power | 21 mi | 72° ENE | Weak | Sarasota, FL |
| W32FH-DLow power | 27 mi | 350° N | Fair | St. Petersburg, FL |
| WARP-CDClass A | 28 mi | 8° N | Fair | Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL |
| WSNN-LDLow power | 29 mi | 142° SE | Fair | Sarasota, FL |
| WPDS-LDLow power | 31 mi | 348° NNW | Weak | Largo, Etc., FL |
| W16DQ-DLow power | 36 mi | 47° NE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WSPF-CDClass A | 36 mi | 47° NE | Weak | St. Petersburg, FL |
| WSVT-LDLow power | 36 mi | 47° NE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WXAX-CDClass A | 36 mi | 47° NE | Fair | Clearwater, FL |
| WTAM-LDLow power | 36 mi | 47° NE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WDNP-LDLow power | 36 mi | 29° NNE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WCLFFull power | 37 mi | 45° NE | Good | Clearwater, FL |
| WEDQFull power | 37 mi | 45° NE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| WTOGFull power | 37 mi | 45° NE | Good | St. Petersburg, FL |
| WGCT-LDLow power | 37 mi | 45° NE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WTBT-LDLow power | 37 mi | 45° NE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| W31EG-DLow power | 40 mi | 25° NNE | Poor | Tampa, FL |
| WZRA-CDClass A | 55 mi | 357° N | Poor | Oldsmar, FL |
| W36EC-DLow power | 65 mi | 43° NE | Poor | Lakeland, FL |
How Cortez compares with the rest of Florida
With 18 stations at fair strength or better, Cortez ranks 545th of 786 places in Florida: fewer than the typical Florida town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 21 miles away, against a state median of 20 miles.
60% of Florida's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is South Bradenton, 6.4 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Cortez: 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 45° NE, the direction of WEDU (PBS), 37 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 18 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 Cortez, FL?
ABC is on channel 28 from WFTS-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles NE of Cortez. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Cortez, FL?
CBS is on channel 10 from WTSP, broadcasting from 36 miles NE of Cortez. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Cortez, FL?
NBC is on channel 8 from WFLA-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles NE of Cortez. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Cortez, FL?
Fox is on channel 13 from WTVT, broadcasting from 36 miles NE of Cortez. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is PBS in Cortez, FL?
PBS is on channel 3.1 from WEDU, broadcasting from 37 miles NE of Cortez. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Cortez?
31 transmitters within 70 miles of Cortez; around 18 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 Cortez?
Point your antenna NE, at about 46°. The main network towers for Cortez sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Cortez?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Cortez?
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 Cortez?
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 Florida cities
- Longboat Key4.3 mi
- South Bradenton6.4 mi
- Bayshore Gardens6.6 mi
- Bradenton7.1 mi
- Palmetto7.9 mi
- West Samoset7.9 mi
- Memphis8.9 mi
- North Sarasota12 mi
- Sarasota13 mi
- Southgate16 mi
- Siesta Key16 mi
- Sarasota Springs17 mi
- Fruitville17 mi
- South Gate Ridge17 mi
- Bee Ridge18 mi
- Saint Pete Beach18 mi
- Gulf Gate Estates18 mi
- Gulfport19 mi
- South Pasadena20 mi
- St. Petersburg21 mi
- Treasure Island21 mi
- Osprey22 mi
- Ruskin23 mi
- Kenneth City24 mi
More: all TV stations in Florida · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Cortez; signal estimates ignore terrain.