TV channels & antenna towers in North Sarasota, Florida
North Sarasota has 40 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and CW. About 24 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWSB (ABC), 16 miles to the NE.
Network channels in North Sarasota
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWWSBABC | 40 | 16 mi | 36° NE | Good | Sarasota, FL |
| IONWXPX-TVION | 66 | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Good | Bradenton, FL |
| CBSWTSPCBS | 10 | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Fair | St. Petersburg, FL |
| UNIWVEA-TVUnivision | 50 | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Good | Venice, FL |
| MeTVWMOR-TVMeTV | 32.2 | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Good | Lakeland, FL |
| FOXWTVTFox | 13 | 35 mi | 29° NNE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| CWWTTACW | 38 | 36 mi | 26° NNE | Fair | St. Petersburg, FL |
| ABCWFTS-TVABC | 28 | 36 mi | 26° NNE | Good | Tampa, FL |
| NBCWFLA-TVNBC | 8 | 36 mi | 26° NNE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| PBSWEDUPBS | 3.1 | 36 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| UNIWVEA-TVUnivision | 50 | 36 mi | 25° NNE | Good | Tampa, FL |
| TLMWRMD-CDTelemundo | 49 | 36 mi | 25° NNE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| FOXWFTX-TVFox | 36 | 60 mi | 132° SE | Good | Cape Coral, FL |
| ABCWZVN-TVABC | 26 | 60 mi | 129° SE | Good | Naples, FL |
| NBCWBBH-TVNBC | 20 | 60 mi | 129° SE | Good | Fort Myers, FL |
| PBSWGCUPBS | 30 | 60 mi | 129° SE | Fair | Fort Myers, FL |
| CBSWINK-TVCBS | 11 | 61 mi | 130° SE | Good | Fort Myers, FL |
| UNIWLZE-LDUnivision | 51 | 61 mi | 130° SE | Poor | Fort Myers, FL |
| CWWXCWCW | 46 | 61 mi | 130° SE | Good | Naples, FL |
Over-the-air TV in North Sarasota
North Sarasota, Florida has a population of about 6,980. There are 40 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 21 full-power, 5 Class A, 13 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 24 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 14 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 26 between 25 and 45 miles, and 11 farther out. Six of the 19 network stations in range are licensed to Tampa, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Tampa's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 28 (WFTS-TV), CBS on channel 11 (WINK-TV), NBC on channel 20 (WBBH-TV), Fox on channel 36 (WFTX-TV), PBS on channel 3.1 (WEDU), CW on channel 46 (WXCW), 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). 4 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 North Sarasota
Point your antenna NNE, at about 26°. The main network towers for North Sarasota 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 35 miles northeast of North Sarasota (27° NNE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 17 full-power and Class A network signals that reach North Sarasota at fair strength or better, 65% 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 North Sarasota, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for North Sarasota
The farthest main network tower for North Sarasota is WEDU (PBS), 36 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WINK-TV (CBS), 61 miles southeast, WBBH-TV (NBC), 60 miles southeast and WFTX-TV (Fox), 60 miles southeast, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for those.
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 North Sarasota
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 | 16 mi | 36° NE | Weak | Sarasota, FL |
| WSNN-LDLow power | 18 mi | 155° SSE | Fair | Sarasota, FL |
| W16DQ-DLow power | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WSPF-CDClass A | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Weak | St. Petersburg, FL |
| WSVT-LDLow power | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WXAX-CDClass A | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Fair | Clearwater, FL |
| WTAM-LDLow power | 35 mi | 27° NNE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WARP-CDClass A | 35 mi | 349° N | Fair | Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL |
| WCLFFull power | 36 mi | 26° NNE | Good | Clearwater, FL |
| W32FH-DLow power | 36 mi | 335° NNW | Weak | St. Petersburg, FL |
| WEDQFull power | 36 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Tampa, FL |
| WTOGFull power | 36 mi | 25° NNE | Good | St. Petersburg, FL |
| WGCT-LDLow power | 36 mi | 25° NNE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WTBT-LDLow power | 36 mi | 25° NNE | Weak | Tampa, FL |
| WDNP-LDLow power | 39 mi | 11° N | Poor | Tampa, FL |
| WPDS-LDLow power | 41 mi | 336° NNW | Poor | Largo, Etc., FL |
| W31EG-DLow power | 43 mi | 9° N | Poor | Tampa, FL |
| WRXY-TVFull power | 60 mi | 132° SE | Good | Tice, FL |
| WZRA-CDClass A | 63 mi | 348° NNW | Poor | Oldsmar, FL |
| W36EC-DLow power | 64 mi | 32° NNE | Poor | Lakeland, FL |
| W36FJ-DTranslator | 68 mi | 85° E | Poor | Sebring, FL |
How North Sarasota compares with the rest of Florida
With 24 stations at fair strength or better, North Sarasota ranks 367th of 786 places in Florida: more than the typical Florida town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 16 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 Sarasota, 2.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in North Sarasota: 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 25° NNE, the direction of WEDU (PBS), 36 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 24 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 North Sarasota, FL?
ABC is on channel 28 from WFTS-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles NNE of North Sarasota. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in North Sarasota, FL?
CBS is on channel 11 from WINK-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles SE of North Sarasota. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in North Sarasota, FL?
NBC is on channel 20 from WBBH-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles SE of North Sarasota. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in North Sarasota, FL?
Fox is on channel 36 from WFTX-TV, broadcasting from 60 miles SE of North Sarasota. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is PBS in North Sarasota, FL?
PBS is on channel 3.1 from WEDU, broadcasting from 36 miles NNE of North Sarasota. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in North Sarasota?
40 transmitters within 70 miles of North Sarasota; around 24 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 North Sarasota?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 26°. The main network towers for North Sarasota sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in North Sarasota?
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. Picking up CBS and NBC and Fox from up to 61 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in North Sarasota?
WINK-TV (CBS), 61 miles southeast, WBBH-TV (NBC), 60 miles southeast and WFTX-TV (Fox), 60 miles southeast, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for those.
Is there an app to find TV towers in North Sarasota?
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
- Sarasota2.7 mi
- Southgate4.6 mi
- Fruitville4.8 mi
- Sarasota Springs5.1 mi
- Bayshore Gardens5.7 mi
- South Gate Ridge6.2 mi
- Bee Ridge6.6 mi
- West Samoset7.0 mi
- South Bradenton7.3 mi
- Siesta Key7.5 mi
- Gulf Gate Estates8.4 mi
- Longboat Key9.0 mi
- Bradenton9.3 mi
- Palmetto11 mi
- Memphis11 mi
- Osprey12 mi
- Laurel16 mi
- Venice19 mi
- Venice Gardens22 mi
- South Venice23 mi
- Ruskin25 mi
- Sun City Center26 mi
- Warm Mineral Springs27 mi
- Wimauma27 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 North Sarasota; signal estimates ignore terrain.