TV channels & antenna towers in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has 24 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KNOV-CD, 0.3 miles to the ESE.

Open New Orleans in the live finder

24TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

0.3 mito the closest tower

389,617population

Network channels in New Orleans

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CBSWWL-TVCBS	4	4.0 mi	147° SSE	Strong	New Orleans, LA
CWWNOL-TVCW	38	7.0 mi	93° E	Strong	New Orleans, LA
NBCWDSUNBC	6	7.0 mi	93° E	Strong	New Orleans, LA
ABCWGNOABC	26	7.0 mi	93° E	Strong	New Orleans, LA
FOXWVUE-DTFox	8	7.5 mi	90° E	Strong	New Orleans, LA
IONWPXL-TVION	49	7.8 mi	75° ENE	Strong	New Orleans, LA
TLMKGLA-DTTelemundo	42	8.2 mi	78° ENE	Strong	Hammond, LA
TLMWLFT-CDTelemundo	30.2	65 mi	297° WNW	Poor	Baton Rouge, LA

Over-the-air TV in New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana has a population of about 390,000. Our map shows 24 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 7 Class A and 6 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 17 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 17 transmitters are within 25 miles, 0 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 farther out. New Orleans is a broadcast hub in its own right: six of the 8 network stations in range are licensed here.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 26 (WGNO), CBS on channel 4 (WWL-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WDSU), Fox on channel 8 (WVUE-DT), CW on channel 38 (WNOL-TV), ION on channel 49 (WPXL-TV) and Telemundo on channel 42 (KGLA-DT). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal). 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 New Orleans

The main network towers around New Orleans are in different directions: ABC 93° E (7.0 mi), CBS 147° SSE (4.0 mi), NBC 93° E (7.0 mi) and Fox 90° E (7.5 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Five network stations, WNOL-TV, WDSU, WGNO, WVUE-DT and KGLA-DT, transmit from the same tower site about 7.0 miles east of New Orleans (93° E). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach New Orleans at fair strength or better, 86% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for New Orleans

The farthest main network tower for New Orleans is WVUE-DT (Fox), 7.5 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

KNOV-CD is only 0.3 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 New Orleans

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
KNOV-CDClass A	0.3 mi	121° ESE	Strong	New Orleans, LA
K20MM-DLow power	3.8 mi	128° SE	Good	New Orleans, LA
WUPLFull power	4.0 mi	147° SSE	Strong	Slidell, LA
WBXN-CDClass A	4.0 mi	147° SSE	Good	New Orleans, LA
WTNO-CDClass A	4.3 mi	289° WNW	Good	New Orleans, LA
WYES-TVFull power	7.5 mi	90° E	Strong	New Orleans, LA
WLAE-TVFull power	7.6 mi	75° ENE	Strong	New Orleans, LA
WHNOFull power	7.8 mi	75° ENE	Strong	New Orleans, LA
KNLD-LDLow power	7.9 mi	247° WSW	Good	New Orleans, LA
WQDT-LDLow power	7.9 mi	247° WSW	Good	New, LA
KFOL-CDClass A	49 mi	242° WSW	Poor	Houma, LA
W30EZ-DLow power	54 mi	20° NNE	Poor	Slidell, LA
WRUG-LDLow power	64 mi	300° WNW	Poor	Baton Rouge, LA
KJUN-CDClass A	67 mi	258° WSW	Poor	Morgan City, LA
W31EL-DLow power	67 mi	296° WNW	Poor	Baton Rouge, LA
KWBJ-CDClass A	70 mi	257° WSW	Poor	Morgan City, LA

How New Orleans compares with the rest of Louisiana

With 17 stations at fair strength or better, New Orleans ranks 92nd of 283 places in Louisiana: more than the typical Louisiana town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 4.0 miles away, against a state median of 19 miles.

23% of Louisiana's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.

Setting up an antenna in New Orleans: step by step

Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
Point it toward 90° E, the direction of WVUE-DT (Fox), 7.5 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 17 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 New Orleans, LA?

ABC is on channel 26 from WGNO, broadcasting from 7.0 miles E of New Orleans. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in New Orleans, LA?

CBS is on channel 4 from WWL-TV, broadcasting from 4.0 miles SSE of New Orleans. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in New Orleans, LA?

NBC is on channel 6 from WDSU, broadcasting from 7.0 miles E of New Orleans. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in New Orleans, LA?

Fox is on channel 8 from WVUE-DT, broadcasting from 7.5 miles E of New Orleans. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in New Orleans, LA?

CW is on channel 38 from WNOL-TV, broadcasting from 7.0 miles E of New Orleans. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in New Orleans?

24 transmitters within 70 miles of New Orleans; around 17 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 New Orleans?

What kind of antenna do I need in New Orleans?

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 New Orleans?

KNOV-CD is only 0.3 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 New Orleans?

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 Louisiana cities

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