TV channels & antenna towers in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville has 19 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 WDRB (Fox), 8.2 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Louisville
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWDRBFox | 41 | 8.2 mi | 324° NW | Strong | Louisville, KY |
| CWWBKICW | 58 | 8.2 mi | 324° NW | Strong | Salem, IN |
| ABCWHAS-TVABC | 11 | 8.5 mi | 326° NW | Good | Louisville, KY |
| NBCWAVENBC | 3 | 8.8 mi | 334° NNW | Strong | Louisville, KY |
| CBSWLKYCBS | 32 | 8.8 mi | 334° NNW | Strong | Louisville, KY |
| IONWUPX-TVION | 67 | 67 mi | 118° ESE | Weak | Richmond, KY |
Over-the-air TV in Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky has a population of about 244,000. There are 19 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 5 Class A, 2 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 15 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.
13 of them are within 25 miles of Louisville, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 4 are more than 45 miles out. Louisville is a broadcast hub in its own right: four of the 6 network stations in range are licensed here.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 11 (WHAS-TV), CBS on channel 32 (WLKY), NBC on channel 3 (WAVE), Fox on channel 41 (WDRB), CW on channel 58 (WBKI) and ION on channel 67 (WUPX-TV). 5 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 Louisville
Point your antenna NNW, at about 330°. The main network towers for Louisville sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Five network stations, WDRB, WBKI, WHAS-TV, WAVE and WLKY, transmit from the same tower site about 8.2 miles northwest of Louisville (324° NW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Louisville at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northwest, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Louisville, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Louisville
The farthest main network tower for Louisville is WAVE (NBC), 8.8 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
WDRB is only 8.2 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 Louisville
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WKPC-TVFull power | 8.7 mi | 333° NNW | Good | Louisville, KY |
| WKMJ-TVFull power | 8.7 mi | 333° NNW | Good | Louisville, KY |
| WJYL-CDClass A | 8.8 mi | 334° NNW | Good | Jeffersonville, IN |
| WMYO-CDClass A | 8.8 mi | 334° NNW | Good | Louisville, KY |
| WDYL-LDLow power | 8.8 mi | 330° NNW | Good | Louisville, KY |
| WBNM-LDTranslator | 8.8 mi | 330° NNW | Good | Louisville, KY |
| WKUT-LDLow power | 12 mi | 230° SW | Good | Bowling Green, KY |
| WBNAFull power | 15 mi | 179° S | Good | Louisville, KY |
| WRLW-CDClass A | 30 mi | 323° NW | Fair | Salem, IN |
| WKZT-TVFull power | 40 mi | 187° S | Fair | Elizabethtown, KY |
| WKONFull power | 55 mi | 70° ENE | Weak | Owenton, KY |
| WJTS-CDClass A | 61 mi | 279° W | Poor | Jasper, IN |
| WLCU-CDClass A | 67 mi | 161° SSE | Poor | Campbellsville, KY |
How Louisville compares with the rest of Kentucky
With 15 stations at fair strength or better, Louisville ranks 82nd of 275 places in Kentucky: more than the typical Kentucky town (13). Its nearest major network tower is 8.2 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
23% of Kentucky's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Louisville: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 334° NNW, the direction of WAVE (NBC), 8.8 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 Louisville, KY?
ABC is on channel 11 from WHAS-TV, broadcasting from 8.5 miles NW of Louisville. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Louisville, KY?
CBS is on channel 32 from WLKY, broadcasting from 8.8 miles NNW of Louisville. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Louisville, KY?
NBC is on channel 3 from WAVE, broadcasting from 8.8 miles NNW of Louisville. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Louisville, KY?
Fox is on channel 41 from WDRB, broadcasting from 8.2 miles NW of Louisville. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Louisville, KY?
CW is on channel 58 from WBKI, broadcasting from 8.2 miles NW of Louisville. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Louisville?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Louisville; around 15 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 Louisville?
Point your antenna NNW, at about 330°. The main network towers for Louisville sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Louisville?
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 Louisville?
WDRB is only 8.2 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 Louisville?
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
- Shively5.1 mi
- Saint Matthews5.6 mi
- Saint Dennis6.5 mi
- Buechel7.1 mi
- Newburg8.5 mi
- Lyndon8.6 mi
- Okolona8.7 mi
- Pleasure Ridge Park9.2 mi
- Fairdale10 mi
- Highview11 mi
- Douglass Hills11 mi
- Jeffersontown11 mi
- Fern Creek11 mi
- Valley Station12 mi
- Middletown12 mi
- Hillview13 mi
- Mount Washington18 mi
- Shepherdsville19 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Jeffersonville, IN2.0 mi
- Clarksville, IN2.9 mi
- New Albany, IN4.1 mi
- Oak Park, IN4.9 mi
- Sellersburg, IN9.9 mi
- Charlestown, IN15 mi
More: all TV stations in Kentucky · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Louisville; signal estimates ignore terrain.