TV channels & antenna towers in Clive, Iowa
Clive has 15 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K32NM-D, 4.6 miles to the NNW.
Network channels in Clive
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 15 mi | 20° NNE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 15 mi | 20° NNE | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 15 mi | 22° NNE | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 15 mi | 22° NNE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 17 mi | 20° NNE | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 17 mi | 20° NNE | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Clive
Clive, Iowa has a population of about 15,400. There are 15 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 8 full-power, 2 Class A, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 11 transmitters are within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 0 farther out. Three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Des Moines, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Des Moines's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 5 (WOI-DT), CBS on channel 8 (KCCI), NBC on channel 13 (WHO-DT), Fox on channel 17 (KDSM-TV), CW on channel 23 (KCWI-TV) and ION on channel 39 (KFPX-TV). 2 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 Clive
Point your antenna NNE, at about 21°. The main network towers for Clive sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KCCI, KFPX-TV, WOI-DT, WHO-DT and KCWI-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 15 miles north of Clive (20° NNE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Clive at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Clive, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Clive
The farthest main network tower for Clive is KDSM-TV (Fox), 17 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Clive
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K32NM-DLow power | 4.6 mi | 338° NNW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 5.2 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 15 mi | 22° NNE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 17 mi | 20° NNE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 17 mi | 20° NNE | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 28 mi | 54° NE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 30 mi | 61° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 30 mi | 61° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 30 mi | 61° ENE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
How Clive compares with the rest of Iowa
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Clive ranks 50th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 15 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Urbandale, 1.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Clive: 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 20° NNE, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 17 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 14 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 Clive, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 15 miles NNE of Clive. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Clive, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 15 miles NNE of Clive. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Clive, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 15 miles NNE of Clive. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Clive, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles NNE of Clive. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Clive, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles NNE of Clive. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Clive?
15 transmitters within 70 miles of Clive; around 14 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 Clive?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 21°. The main network towers for Clive sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Clive?
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 Clive?
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 Clive?
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 Iowa cities
- Urbandale1.7 mi
- West Des Moines1.9 mi
- Johnston5.0 mi
- Des Moines5.9 mi
- Grimes6.8 mi
- Waukee8.3 mi
- Norwalk9.1 mi
- Pleasant Hill11 mi
- Ankeny11 mi
- Altoona14 mi
- Indianola19 mi
- Huxley21 mi
- Earlham22 mi
- Winterset24 mi
- Perry26 mi
- Pleasantville28 mi
- Ames30 mi
- Stuart31 mi
- Nevada32 mi
- Boone33 mi
- Monroe33 mi
- Baxter33 mi
- Newton36 mi
- Centerville36 mi
More: all TV stations in Iowa · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Clive; signal estimates ignore terrain.