TV channels & antenna towers in Columbus, Indiana

Columbus is a town of about 46,700 people in Indiana. There are 37 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 21 full-power, 8 Class A, 6 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 11 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 30 farther out. Seven of the 15 network stations in range are licensed to Indianapolis, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Indianapolis's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 6 (WRTV), CBS on channel 4 (WTTV), NBC on channel 3 (WAVE), Fox on channel 59 (WXIN), CW on channel 58 (WBKI), ION on channel 63 (WIPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 19 (WDNI-CD), Univision on channel 40 (WHMB-TV) and MeTV on channel 46.1 (WALV-CD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (weak signal) and Univision (fair signal). 8 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Columbus are in different directions: ABC 343° NNW (50 mi), CBS 320° NW (19 mi), NBC 175° S (58 mi) and Fox 343° NNW (50 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Two network stations, WIPX-TV and WTTV, transmit from the same tower site about 19 miles northwest of Columbus (319° NW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 12 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Columbus at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

The farthest main network tower for Columbus is WAVE (NBC), 58 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

With 17 stations at fair strength or better, Columbus ranks 130th of 352 places in Indiana: more than the typical Indiana town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 19 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.

20% of Indiana's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Indianapolis, 41 miles away.