TV channels & antenna towers in Riverside, Iowa
Riverside has 22 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 15 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KWKB, 21 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Riverside
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKYOU-TVCW | 15.4 | 28 mi | 225° SW | Good | Ottumwa, IA |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 57 mi | 85° E | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 57 mi | 85° E | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| IONKPXR-TVION | 48 | 58 mi | 345° NNW | Fair | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKCRG-TVCW | 9.3 | 60 mi | 346° NNW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| FOXKGANFox | 2.2 | 60 mi | 346° NNW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 63 mi | 99° E | Fair | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 63 mi | 100° E | Fair | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 63 mi | 100° E | Fair | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 63 mi | 100° E | Weak | Galesburg, IL |
| NBCKWWLNBC | 7 | 65 mi | 348° NNW | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Riverside
Riverside, Iowa has a population of about 1,050. Our map shows 22 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 17 full-power, 2 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 15 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 19 farther out. Three of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Cedar Rapids, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cedar Rapids's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 2.2 (KGAN), CW on channel 15.4 (KYOU-TV), ION on channel 48 (KPXR-TV) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 6 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 Riverside
The main network towers around Riverside are in different directions: ABC 100° E (63 mi), CBS 85° E (57 mi), NBC 85° E (57 mi) and Fox 346° NNW (60 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 63 miles east of Riverside (99° E). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Riverside at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across two other directions.
WQAD-TV (ABC) and KWQC-TV (NBC) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Riverside. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Riverside
The farthest main network tower for Riverside is WQAD-TV (ABC), 63 miles away with a fair 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.
Other stations near Riverside
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KWKBFull power | 21 mi | 35° NE | Strong | Iowa City, IA |
| KIINFull power | 21 mi | 37° NE | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| K33QA-DLow power | 47 mi | 88° E | Poor | Davenport, IA |
| KFXAFull power | 50 mi | 328° NNW | Good | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| K18GU-DTranslator | 54 mi | 229° SW | Poor | Ottumwa, IA |
| K24IM-DTranslator | 56 mi | 200° SSW | Poor | Keosauqua, IA |
| KFKZ-LDLow power | 58 mi | 345° NNW | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| K28JD-DTranslator | 59 mi | 172° S | Poor | Fort Madison, IA |
| KRINFull power | 60 mi | 346° NNW | Fair | Waterloo, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 63 mi | 100° E | Fair | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 63 mi | 100° E | Poor | Davenport, IA |
How Riverside compares with the rest of Iowa
With 15 stations at fair strength or better, Riverside ranks 25th of 285 places in Iowa: more than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 28 miles away, against a state median of 34 miles.
44% of Iowa's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Iowa City, 13 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Riverside: step by step
- Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
- Point it toward 100° E, the direction of WQAD-TV (ABC), 63 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 15 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 Riverside, IA?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 63 miles E of Riverside. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Riverside, IA?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 57 miles E of Riverside. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Riverside, IA?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 57 miles E of Riverside. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Riverside, IA?
Fox is on channel 2.2 from KGAN, broadcasting from 60 miles NNW of Riverside. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Riverside, IA?
CW is on channel 15.4 from KYOU-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles SW of Riverside. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Riverside?
22 transmitters within 70 miles of Riverside; around 15 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Riverside?
The main network towers around Riverside are in different directions: ABC 100° E (63 mi), CBS 85° E (57 mi), NBC 85° E (57 mi) and Fox 346° NNW (60 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Riverside?
Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below. The towers are spread over about 114° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Riverside?
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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Riverside?
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
- Kalona6.5 mi
- Lone Tree8.1 mi
- Iowa City13 mi
- Coralville14 mi
- Washington14 mi
- West Liberty18 mi
- Columbus Junction18 mi
- North Liberty19 mi
- Williamsburg25 mi
- Winfield26 mi
- North English26 mi
- Muscatine28 mi
- Wapello29 mi
- Wilton30 mi
- Tipton31 mi
- Mount Vernon32 mi
- Fairfax32 mi
- Marengo34 mi
- Sigourney34 mi
- Mount Pleasant36 mi
- Cedar Rapids37 mi
- Fairfield38 mi
- Marion38 mi
- Hiawatha39 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 Riverside; signal estimates ignore terrain.