TV channels & antenna towers in Webster City, Iowa
Webster City has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KTIN, 39 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Webster City
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWKCWI-TVCW | 23 | 45 mi | 167° SSE | Good | Ames, IA |
| FOXKDSM-TVFox | 17 | 45 mi | 167° SSE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| CBSKCCICBS | 8 | 47 mi | 168° SSE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| IONKFPX-TVION | 39 | 47 mi | 168° SSE | Good | Newton, IA |
| ABCWOI-DTABC | 5 | 47 mi | 167° SSE | Fair | Ames, IA |
| NBCWHO-DTNBC | 13 | 47 mi | 167° SSE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
Over-the-air TV in Webster City
With roughly 7,810 residents, Webster City is a town in Iowa. Our map shows 21 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 9 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Webster City, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 20 are more than 45 miles 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.
The best-placed network stations 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). 3 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 Webster City
Point your antenna SSE, at about 167°. The main network towers for Webster City 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 45 miles south of Webster City (167° SSE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Webster City at fair strength or better, all arrive from the south, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Webster City, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Webster City
The farthest main network tower for Webster City is WHO-DT (NBC), 47 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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 Webster City
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KTINFull power | 39 mi | 309° NW | Good | Fort Dodge, IA |
| KDIT-CDClass A | 45 mi | 167° SSE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KDMIFull power | 45 mi | 167° SSE | Good | Des Moines, IA |
| KDIT-LDLow power | 46 mi | 335° NNW | Poor | Fort Dodge, IA |
| KDIN-TVFull power | 47 mi | 167° SSE | Fair | Des Moines, IA |
| K31PO-DTranslator | 52 mi | 148° SSE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K17MH-DLow power | 54 mi | 70° ENE | Poor | Cedar Falls, IA |
| KAJR-LDLow power | 55 mi | 145° SE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KCYM-LDLow power | 55 mi | 145° SE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| KRPG-LDLow power | 55 mi | 145° SE | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K32NM-DLow power | 56 mi | 177° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
| K30QY-DLow power | 60 mi | 37° NE | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K22LJ-DLow power | 60 mi | 37° NE | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| K35PA-DLow power | 60 mi | 37° NE | Poor | Mason City, IA |
| WBXF-CDClass A | 62 mi | 171° S | Poor | Des Moines, IA |
How Webster City compares with the rest of Iowa
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Webster City ranks 178th of 285 places in Iowa: fewer than the typical Iowa town (11). Its nearest major network tower is 45 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 Fort Dodge, 18 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Webster City: 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 167° SSE, the direction of WHO-DT (NBC), 47 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 9 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 Webster City, IA?
ABC is on channel 5 from WOI-DT, broadcasting from 47 miles SSE of Webster City. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Webster City, IA?
CBS is on channel 8 from KCCI, broadcasting from 47 miles SSE of Webster City. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Webster City, IA?
NBC is on channel 13 from WHO-DT, broadcasting from 47 miles SSE of Webster City. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Webster City, IA?
Fox is on channel 17 from KDSM-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles SSE of Webster City. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Webster City, IA?
CW is on channel 23 from KCWI-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles SSE of Webster City. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Webster City?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Webster City; around 9 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 Webster City?
Point your antenna SSE, at about 167°. The main network towers for Webster City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Webster City?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Webster City?
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 Webster City?
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
- Eagle Grove14 mi
- Fort Dodge18 mi
- Clarion19 mi
- Oakland20 mi
- Story City23 mi
- Humboldt27 mi
- Centerville27 mi
- Belmond28 mi
- Boone28 mi
- Iowa Falls29 mi
- Ames32 mi
- Nevada36 mi
- Hampton36 mi
- Manson37 mi
- Eldora37 mi
- Ackley39 mi
- Huxley41 mi
- Rockwell City42 mi
- Sheffield42 mi
- Jefferson43 mi
- Britt43 mi
- Garner45 mi
- State Center46 mi
- Perry46 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 Webster City; signal estimates ignore terrain.