TV channels & antenna towers in Independence, Kentucky

Independence has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WCVN-TV, 6.4 miles to the NNE.

Open Independence in the live finder

26TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

6.4 mito the closest tower

26,819population

Network channels in Independence

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CWWKRC-TVCW	12.2	12 mi	11° N	Good	Cincinnati, OH
FOXWXIX-TVFox	19	12 mi	359° N	Strong	Newport, KY
NBCWLWTNBC	5	13 mi	5° N	Strong	Cincinnati, OH
ABCWCPO-TVABC	9	13 mi	11° N	Strong	Cincinnati, OH
TLMWBQC-LDTelemundo	25	13 mi	11° N	Fair	Cincinnati, OH
IONWKOI-TVION	43	56 mi	16° NNE	Good	Richmond, IN
CWWBDTCW	26	56 mi	16° NNE	Good	Springfield, OH
NBCWDTNNBC	2	56 mi	16° NNE	Good	Dayton, OH
ABCWKEFABC	22	56 mi	16° NNE	Good	Dayton, OH
CBSWHIO-TVCBS	7	57 mi	16° NNE	Good	Dayton, OH
CWWKYT-TVCW	27.2	63 mi	173° S	Fair	Lexington, KY
ABCWTVQ-DTABC	36	63 mi	173° S	Weak	Lexington, KY
NBCWLEX-TVNBC	18	63 mi	173° S	Weak	Lexington, KY

Over-the-air TV in Independence

With roughly 26,800 residents, Independence is a city in Kentucky. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 26 licensed TV transmitters: 19 full-power, 5 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 15 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 11 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 13 farther out. Four of the 13 network stations in range are licensed to Cincinnati, OH, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cincinnati's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 9 (WCPO-TV), CBS on channel 7 (WHIO-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WLWT), Fox on channel 19 (WXIX-TV), CW on channel 26 (WBDT), ION on channel 43 (WKOI-TV) and Telemundo on channel 25 (WBQC-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 7 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 Independence

Point your antenna N, at about 5°. The main network towers for Independence sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Three network stations, WKRC-TV, WLWT and WCPO-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 12 miles north of Independence (11° N). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Independence at fair strength or better, 90% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Independence, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Independence

The farthest main network tower for Independence is WCPO-TV (ABC), 13 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.

WHIO-TV (CBS), 57 miles north, 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.

WXIX-TV is only 12 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 Independence

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WCVN-TVFull power	6.4 mi	18° NNE	Good	Covington, KY
WDYC-LDLow power	12 mi	359° N	Good	Cincinnati, OH
WPTOFull power	13 mi	5° N	Strong	Oxford, OH
WCETFull power	13 mi	5° N	Strong	Cincinnati, OH
WSTR-TVFull power	18 mi	4° N	Good	Cincinnati, OH
W23DM-DTranslator	22 mi	148° SSE	Weak	Falmouth, KY
W16EB-DTranslator	31 mi	113° ESE	Poor	Augusta, KY
WKONFull power	32 mi	207° SSW	Fair	Owenton, KY
WPTDFull power	56 mi	16° NNE	Fair	Dayton, OH
WRCX-LDLow power	56 mi	16° NNE	Poor	Dayton, OH
WRGT-TVFull power	56 mi	16° NNE	Good	Dayton, OH
WLWD-LDLow power	56 mi	16° NNE	Poor	Dayton, OH
WZCD-LDLow power	56 mi	16° NNE	Poor	Dayton, OH

How Independence compares with the rest of Kentucky

With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Independence ranks 6th of 275 places in Kentucky: more than the typical Kentucky town (13). Its nearest major network tower is 12 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.

23% of Kentucky's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Cincinnati, 13 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Independence: step by step

Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
Point it toward 11° N, the direction of WCPO-TV (ABC), 13 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 19 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 Independence, KY?

ABC is on channel 9 from WCPO-TV, broadcasting from 13 miles N of Independence. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Independence, KY?

CBS is on channel 7 from WHIO-TV, broadcasting from 57 miles NNE of Independence. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Independence, KY?

NBC is on channel 5 from WLWT, broadcasting from 13 miles N of Independence. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Independence, KY?

Fox is on channel 19 from WXIX-TV, broadcasting from 12 miles N of Independence. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Independence, KY?

CW is on channel 26 from WBDT, broadcasting from 56 miles NNE of Independence. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Independence?

26 transmitters within 70 miles of Independence; around 19 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 Independence?

Point your antenna N, at about 5°. The main network towers for Independence sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Independence?

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 CBS from up to 57 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Independence?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Independence?

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 Kentucky cities

Nearby cities in other states

More: all TV stations in Kentucky · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Independence; signal estimates ignore terrain.