TV channels & antenna towers in Mount Sterling, Kentucky
Mount Sterling has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDKY-TV (Fox), 24 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Mount Sterling
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWDKY-TVFox | 56 | 24 mi | 240° WSW | Strong | Danville, KY |
| ABCWTVQ-DTABC | 36 | 25 mi | 267° W | Good | Lexington, KY |
| NBCWLEX-TVNBC | 18 | 25 mi | 267° W | Good | Lexington, KY |
| CWWKYT-TVCW | 27.2 | 25 mi | 267° W | Good | Lexington, KY |
| IONWUPX-TVION | 67 | 44 mi | 245° WSW | Good | Richmond, KY |
Over-the-air TV in Mount Sterling
Mount Sterling, Kentucky has a population of about 7,210. Our map shows 13 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 2 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 4 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 4 farther out. Three of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Lexington, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Lexington's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 36 (WTVQ-DT), NBC on channel 18 (WLEX-TV), Fox on channel 56 (WDKY-TV), CW on channel 27.2 (WKYT-TV) and ION on channel 67 (WUPX-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WYMT-TV in Hazard, KY, 73 miles to the southeast. 4 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 Mount Sterling
Point your antenna WSW, at about 258°. The main network towers for Mount Sterling sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WTVQ-DT, WLEX-TV and WKYT-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 25 miles west of Mount Sterling (267° W). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Mount Sterling at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Mount Sterling, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Mount Sterling
The farthest main network tower for Mount Sterling is WLEX-TV (NBC), 25 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.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Mount Sterling
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WKLEFull power | 24 mi | 240° WSW | Fair | Lexington, KY |
| WBON-LDLow power | 30 mi | 202° SSW | Weak | Richmond, KY |
| WKMRFull power | 30 mi | 74° ENE | Fair | Morehead, KY |
| WLJC-TVFull power | 34 mi | 154° SSE | Good | Beattyville, KY |
| W23DM-DTranslator | 47 mi | 334° NNW | Poor | Falmouth, KY |
| W16EB-DTranslator | 49 mi | 356° N | Poor | Augusta, KY |
| WKONFull power | 57 mi | 305° NW | Weak | Owenton, KY |
| WTZP-LDLow power | 69 mi | 48° NE | Poor | Portsmouth, OH |
How Mount Sterling compares with the rest of Kentucky
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Mount Sterling ranks 216th of 275 places in Kentucky: fewer than the typical Kentucky town (13). Its nearest major network tower is 24 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 Lexington-Fayette, 28 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Mount Sterling: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 267° W, the direction of WLEX-TV (NBC), 25 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 8 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 Mount Sterling, KY?
ABC is on channel 36 from WTVQ-DT, broadcasting from 25 miles W of Mount Sterling. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Mount Sterling, KY?
NBC is on channel 18 from WLEX-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles W of Mount Sterling. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Mount Sterling, KY?
Fox is on channel 56 from WDKY-TV, broadcasting from 24 miles WSW of Mount Sterling. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Mount Sterling, KY?
CW is on channel 27.2 from WKYT-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles W of Mount Sterling. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Mount Sterling?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of Mount Sterling; around 8 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 Mount Sterling?
Point your antenna WSW, at about 258°. The main network towers for Mount Sterling sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Mount Sterling?
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 Mount Sterling?
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Mount Sterling?
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
- Owingsville11 mi
- Winchester14 mi
- Stanton15 mi
- Carlisle18 mi
- Frenchburg19 mi
- Paris20 mi
- Irvine25 mi
- Flemingsburg28 mi
- Lexington-Fayette28 mi
- Richmond29 mi
- Morehead29 mi
- Lexington29 mi
- Cynthiana30 mi
- Campton31 mi
- Mount Olivet33 mi
- Monticello33 mi
- Georgetown35 mi
- Beattyville36 mi
- Nicholasville36 mi
- West Liberty38 mi
- Berea39 mi
- Wilmore41 mi
- Maysville42 mi
- Versailles43 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 Mount Sterling; signal estimates ignore terrain.