TV channels & antenna towers in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs has 18 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KBIN-TV, 1.4 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in Council Bluffs
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLMKOHA-LDTelemundo | 27 | 5.4 mi | 242° WSW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| CBSKMTV-TVCBS | 3 | 9.2 mi | 290° WNW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| ABCKETVABC | 7 | 9.2 mi | 291° WNW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| NBCWOWTNBC | 6 | 9.3 mi | 292° WNW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| CWKPTMCW | 42.3 | 23 mi | 235° SW | Strong | Omaha, NE |
| CWKCWH-LDCW | 18 | 52 mi | 234° SW | Poor | Lincoln, NE |
| FOXKFXL-TVFox | 51 | 54 mi | 227° SW | Weak | Lincoln, NE |
Over-the-air TV in Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs is a city of about 62,600 people in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 18 licensed TV transmitters: 10 full-power, 5 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
11 of them are within 25 miles of Council Bluffs, 3 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 4 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Omaha, NE, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Omaha's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7 (KETV), CBS on channel 3 (KMTV-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WOWT), Fox on channel 51 (KFXL-TV), CW on channel 42.3 (KPTM) and Telemundo on channel 27 (KOHA-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal). 5 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 Council Bluffs
Point your antenna WNW, at about 291°. The main network towers for Council Bluffs sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, KMTV-TV, KETV and WOWT, transmit from the same tower site about 9.2 miles west of Council Bluffs (290° WNW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Council Bluffs at fair strength or better, 75% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Council Bluffs, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Council Bluffs
The farthest main network tower for Council Bluffs is WOWT (NBC), 9.3 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.
KFXL-TV (Fox), 54 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is 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 that one.
KBIN-TV is only 1.4 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near Council Bluffs
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBIN-TVFull power | 1.4 mi | 112° ESE | Strong | Council Bluffs, IA |
| KQMK-LDLow power | 5.4 mi | 242° WSW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| KYNE-TVFull power | 9.2 mi | 291° WNW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| KXVOFull power | 23 mi | 235° SW | Good | Omaha, NE |
| K24GO-DTranslator | 23 mi | 323° NW | Poor | Blair, NE |
| KAJS-LDLow power | 24 mi | 238° WSW | Fair | Lincoln, NE |
| K36QD-DTranslator | 30 mi | 286° WNW | Weak | Omaha, NE |
| KHINFull power | 32 mi | 80° E | Good | Red Oak, IA |
| KUON-TVFull power | 32 mi | 255° WSW | Fair | Lincoln, NE |
| KFDY-LDLow power | 54 mi | 227° SW | Poor | Lincoln, NE |
| K34IB-DTranslator | 55 mi | 338° NNW | Poor | Decatur, NE |
How Council Bluffs compares with the rest of Iowa
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Council Bluffs ranks 84th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 5.4 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
13% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Omaha, 4.2 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Council Bluffs: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 292° WNW, the direction of WOWT (NBC), 9.3 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 12 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 Council Bluffs, IA?
ABC is on channel 7 from KETV, broadcasting from 9.2 miles WNW of Council Bluffs. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Council Bluffs, IA?
CBS is on channel 3 from KMTV-TV, broadcasting from 9.2 miles WNW of Council Bluffs. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Council Bluffs, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from WOWT, broadcasting from 9.3 miles WNW of Council Bluffs. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Council Bluffs, IA?
Fox is on channel 51 from KFXL-TV, broadcasting from 54 miles SW of Council Bluffs. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CW in Council Bluffs, IA?
CW is on channel 42.3 from KPTM, broadcasting from 23 miles SW of Council Bluffs. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Council Bluffs?
18 transmitters within 70 miles of Council Bluffs; around 12 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Council Bluffs?
Point your antenna WNW, at about 291°. The main network towers for Council Bluffs sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Council Bluffs?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks. Picking up Fox from up to 54 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Council Bluffs?
KFXL-TV (Fox), 54 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is 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 that one.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Council Bluffs?
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
- Glenwood16 mi
- Missouri Valley20 mi
- Oakland24 mi
- Avoca31 mi
- Sidney37 mi
- Red Oak37 mi
- Harlan39 mi
- Shenandoah43 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Omaha, NE4.2 mi
- Bellevue, NE8.8 mi
- Ralston, NE10 mi
- La Vista, NE10 mi
- Papillion, NE12 mi
- Chalco, NE16 mi
- Plattsmouth, NE17 mi
- Elkhorn, NE19 mi
- Gretna, NE21 mi
- Blair, NE24 mi
- Ashland, NE31 mi
- Fremont, NE35 mi
- Wahoo, NE40 mi
- Tekamah, NE40 mi
- Nebraska City, NE40 mi
- Waverly, NE42 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 Council Bluffs; signal estimates ignore terrain.