TV channels & antenna towers in Stearns, Kentucky
Stearns has 22 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WVTN-LD, 27 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Stearns
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CWWBXX-TVCW | 20 | 41 mi | 169° S | Good | Crossville, TN |
| NBCWBIR-TVNBC | 10 | 57 mi | 148° SSE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| IONWPXK-TVION | 54 | 57 mi | 148° SSE | Good | Jellico, TN |
| ABCWATE-TVABC | 6 | 57 mi | 148° SSE | Good | Knoxville, TN |
| FOXWTNZFox | 43 | 57 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| CBSWVLT-TVCBS | 8 | 57 mi | 149° SSE | Good | Knoxville, TN |
Over-the-air TV in Stearns
With roughly 1,420 residents, Stearns is a small community in Kentucky. Our map shows 22 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 1 Class A and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 19 farther out. Four of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Knoxville, TN, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Knoxville's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 6 (WATE-TV), CBS on channel 8 (WVLT-TV), NBC on channel 10 (WBIR-TV), Fox on channel 43 (WTNZ), CW on channel 20 (WBXX-TV) and ION on channel 54 (WPXK-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 Stearns
Point your antenna SSE, at about 148°. The main network towers for Stearns sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Five network stations, WBIR-TV, WPXK-TV, WATE-TV, WTNZ and WVLT-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 57 miles southeast of Stearns (148° SSE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Stearns at fair strength or better, 83% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Stearns, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Stearns
The farthest main network tower for Stearns is WTNZ (Fox), 57 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 Stearns
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WVTN-LDLow power | 27 mi | 44° NE | Fair | Corbin, KY |
| WKSO-TVFull power | 38 mi | 329° NNW | Fair | Somerset, KY |
| WVLRFull power | 56 mi | 123° ESE | Good | Tazewell, TN |
| WEZK-LDLow power | 56 mi | 147° SSE | Poor | Knoxville, TN |
| WKNX-TVFull power | 56 mi | 147° SSE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| W19FF-DLow power | 57 mi | 149° SSE | Poor | Knoxville, TN |
| WKOP-TVFull power | 57 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Knoxville, TN |
| WDTT-LDLow power | 57 mi | 149° SSE | Poor | Knoxville, TN |
| WKXT-LDLow power | 57 mi | 149° SSE | Poor | Knoxville, TN |
| W30EG-DLow power | 57 mi | 149° SSE | Poor | Knoxville, TN |
| WWWB-LDLow power | 59 mi | 213° SSW | Poor | Clarkrange, TN |
| WCTEFull power | 60 mi | 233° SW | Fair | Cookeville, TN |
| W35DZ-DLow power | 60 mi | 233° SW | Poor | Cookeville, TN |
| W14EE-DLow power | 63 mi | 237° WSW | Poor | Algood, TN |
| WLCU-CDClass A | 66 mi | 313° NW | Poor | Campbellsville, KY |
| WBON-LDLow power | 69 mi | 15° NNE | Poor | Richmond, KY |
How Stearns compares with the rest of Kentucky
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Stearns ranks 142nd of 275 places in Kentucky: fewer than the typical Kentucky town (13). Its nearest major network tower is 41 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
29% of Kentucky's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Oak Ridge, 49 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Stearns: 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 149° SSE, the direction of WTNZ (Fox), 57 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 12 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 Stearns, KY?
ABC is on channel 6 from WATE-TV, broadcasting from 57 miles SSE of Stearns. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Stearns, KY?
CBS is on channel 8 from WVLT-TV, broadcasting from 57 miles SSE of Stearns. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Stearns, KY?
NBC is on channel 10 from WBIR-TV, broadcasting from 57 miles SSE of Stearns. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Stearns, KY?
Fox is on channel 43 from WTNZ, broadcasting from 57 miles SSE of Stearns. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Stearns, KY?
CW is on channel 20 from WBXX-TV, broadcasting from 41 miles S of Stearns. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Stearns?
22 transmitters within 70 miles of Stearns; around 12 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 Stearns?
Point your antenna SSE, at about 148°. The main network towers for Stearns sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Stearns?
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 Stearns?
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 Stearns?
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
- Whitley City1.7 mi
- Pine Knot4.0 mi
- Williamsburg18 mi
- Monticello22 mi
- Corbin27 mi
- North Corbin28 mi
- Somerset28 mi
- Barbourville35 mi
- Albany36 mi
- London37 mi
- Russell Springs42 mi
- Middlesboro43 mi
- Pineville44 mi
- Mount Vernon46 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Oneida, TN14 mi
- Huntsville, TN20 mi
- Jellico, TN21 mi
- LaFollette, TN30 mi
- Jamestown, TN31 mi
- Grimsley, TN41 mi
- Wartburg, TN42 mi
- Clinton, TN45 mi
- Maynardville, TN49 mi
- Oak Ridge, TN49 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 Stearns; signal estimates ignore terrain.