TV channels & antenna towers in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines 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 WBXF-CD, 1.3 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Des Moines
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 14 mi | 359° N | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 14 mi | 359° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 14 mi | 357° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 14 mi | 357° N | Good | Newton, IA |
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 16 mi | 359° N | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 16 mi | 359° N | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Des Moines
With roughly 210,000 residents, Des Moines is a city in Iowa. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 15 licensed TV transmitters: 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, 12 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 0 farther out. Des Moines is a broadcast hub in its own right: three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed here.
The strongest network signals here 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 Des Moines
Point your antenna N, at about 358°. The main network towers for Des Moines sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, WOI-DT, WHO-DT, KCCI, KFPX-TV and KCWI-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles north of Des Moines (359° N). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Des Moines 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 Des Moines, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Des Moines
The farthest main network tower for Des Moines is KDSM-TV (Fox), 16 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.
WBXF-CD is only 1.3 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 Des Moines
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBXF-CDClass A | 1.3 mi | 223° SW | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 8.8 mi | 300° WNW | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 14 mi | 359° N | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 16 mi | 359° N | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 16 mi | 359° N | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 23 mi | 46° NE | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 25 mi | 54° NE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 25 mi | 54° NE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 25 mi | 54° NE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
How Des Moines compares with the rest of Iowa
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Des Moines ranks 50th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 14 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.
Setting up an antenna in Des Moines: 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 359° N, the direction of KDSM-TV (Fox), 16 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 Des Moines, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 14 miles N of Des Moines. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Des Moines, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 14 miles N of Des Moines. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Des Moines, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 14 miles N of Des Moines. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Des Moines, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles N of Des Moines. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Des Moines, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles N of Des Moines. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Des Moines?
15 transmitters within 70 miles of Des Moines; 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 Des Moines?
Point your antenna N, at about 358°. The main network towers for Des Moines sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Des Moines?
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 Des Moines?
WBXF-CD is only 1.3 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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Des Moines?
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
- Pleasant Hill4.7 mi
- West Des Moines5.5 mi
- Urbandale5.6 mi
- Clive5.9 mi
- Johnston6.8 mi
- Altoona8.0 mi
- Ankeny8.9 mi
- Norwalk9.4 mi
- Grimes11 mi
- Waukee14 mi
- Indianola17 mi
- Huxley20 mi
- Pleasantville23 mi
- Monroe27 mi
- Earlham28 mi
- Winterset28 mi
- Baxter28 mi
- Newton30 mi
- Ames30 mi
- Nevada30 mi
- Perry31 mi
- Melcher-Dallas32 mi
- Knoxville32 mi
- Boone35 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 Des Moines; signal estimates ignore terrain.