TV channels & antenna towers in Madrid, Iowa
Madrid has 15 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KDIT-CD, 11 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in Madrid
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 11 mi | 107° ESE | Strong | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 11 mi | 107° ESE | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 11 mi | 114° ESE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 11 mi | 114° ESE | Strong | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 12 mi | 113° ESE | Good | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 12 mi | 113° ESE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Madrid
Madrid, Iowa has a population of about 2,590. 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, 11 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 Madrid
Point your antenna ESE, at about 112°. The main network towers for Madrid sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KCWI-TV, KDSM-TV, KCCI, KFPX-TV and WOI-DT and others, transmit from the same tower site about 11 miles east of Madrid (107° ESE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Madrid at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Madrid, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Madrid
The farthest main network tower for Madrid is WHO-DT (NBC), 12 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
KCWI-TV is only 11 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 Madrid
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDIT-CDClass A | 11 mi | 107° ESE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 11 mi | 107° ESE | Strong | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 12 mi | 113° ESE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 15 mi | 167° SSE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 22 mi | 153° SSE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 28 mi | 96° E | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 32 mi | 97° E | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 32 mi | 97° E | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 32 mi | 97° E | Weak | Des Moines, IA |
How Madrid compares with the rest of Iowa
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Madrid ranks 109th of 285 places in Iowa: the same as the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 11 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 Ames, 15 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Madrid: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 113° ESE, the direction of WHO-DT (NBC), 12 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 11 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 Madrid, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 12 miles ESE of Madrid. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Madrid, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 11 miles ESE of Madrid. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Madrid, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 12 miles ESE of Madrid. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Madrid, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles ESE of Madrid. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Madrid, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles ESE of Madrid. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Madrid?
15 transmitters within 70 miles of Madrid; around 11 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 Madrid?
Point your antenna ESE, at about 112°. The main network towers for Madrid sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Madrid?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Madrid?
KCWI-TV is only 11 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 Madrid?
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
- Huxley12 mi
- Boone13 mi
- Grimes13 mi
- Perry15 mi
- Ames15 mi
- Ankeny15 mi
- Johnston15 mi
- Centerville16 mi
- Urbandale18 mi
- Waukee19 mi
- Clive20 mi
- West Des Moines21 mi
- Nevada22 mi
- Des Moines22 mi
- Story City24 mi
- Altoona24 mi
- Pleasant Hill26 mi
- Norwalk29 mi
- Jefferson30 mi
- Earlham31 mi
- Baxter35 mi
- State Center35 mi
- Stuart36 mi
- Guthrie Center38 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 Madrid; signal estimates ignore terrain.