TV channels & antenna towers in Buffalo, Minnesota
Buffalo has 59 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KHVM-LD, 16 miles to the SE.
Network channels in Buffalo
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONKPXM-TVION | 41 | 26 mi | 64° ENE | Good | St. Cloud, MN |
| TLMKJNK-LDTelemundo | 25 | 32 mi | 115° ESE | Weak | Minneapolis, MN |
| UNIWUMN-LDUnivision | 21 | 33 mi | 115° ESE | Weak | Minneapolis, MN |
| CBSWCCO-TVCBS | 4 | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| NBCKARENBC | 11 | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| MeTVKSTC-TVMeTV | 5.3 | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| ABCKSTP-TVABC | 5 | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | St. Paul, MN |
| CWWUCWCW | 23 | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| FOXKMSP-TVFox | 9 | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
Over-the-air TV in Buffalo
With roughly 16,000 residents, Buffalo is a city in Minnesota. Our map shows 59 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 1 Class A, 19 low-power and 28 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 4 transmitters are within 25 miles, 22 between 25 and 45 miles, and 33 farther out. Seven of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to Minneapolis, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Minneapolis's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 5 (KSTP-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WCCO-TV), NBC on channel 11 (KARE), Fox on channel 9 (KMSP-TV), CW on channel 23 (WUCW), ION on channel 41 (KPXM-TV), Telemundo on channel 25 (KJNK-LD), Univision on channel 21 (WUMN-LD) and MeTV on channel 5.3 (KSTC-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (weak signal) and Univision (weak 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 Buffalo
Point your antenna ESE, at about 102°. The main network towers for Buffalo sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, WCCO-TV, KARE, KSTC-TV, KSTP-TV and WUCW and others, transmit from the same tower site about 37 miles east of Buffalo (102° ESE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Buffalo 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 Buffalo, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Buffalo
The farthest main network tower for Buffalo is KMSP-TV (Fox), 37 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic 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 Buffalo
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 50; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KHVM-LDLow power | 16 mi | 137° SE | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| KTCJ-LDLow power | 16 mi | 137° SE | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| K28PQ-DLow power | 17 mi | 29° NNE | Fair | Saint Cloud, MN |
| KKTW-LDLow power | 24 mi | 120° ESE | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| WCMN-LDLow power | 32 mi | 324° NW | Weak | St. Cloud-Sartell, MN |
| K14RB-DLow power | 32 mi | 115° ESE | Weak | St. Paul, MN |
| KMBD-LDLow power | 32 mi | 115° ESE | Weak | Minneapolis, MN |
| K33LN-DClass A | 32 mi | 115° ESE | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| KWJM-LDLow power | 32 mi | 115° ESE | Weak | Minneapolis, MN |
| KMQV-LDLow power | 32 mi | 115° ESE | Weak | Rochester, MN |
| WDMI-LDLow power | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Weak | Minneapolis, MN |
| K26PF-DLow power | 36 mi | 320° NW | Weak | Saint Cloud, MN |
| WFTCFull power | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| KTCA-TVFull power | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | St. Paul, MN |
| KTCI-TVFull power | 37 mi | 102° ESE | Good | St. Paul, MN |
| KONCFull power | 41 mi | 312° NW | Fair | Alexandria, MN |
| KMWE-LDLow power | 41 mi | 112° ESE | Poor | St. Paul, MN |
| K20KW-DLow power | 47 mi | 313° NW | Poor | Saint Cloud, MN |
| K31OR-DTranslator | 57 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K21NS-DTranslator | 57 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K18IR-DTranslator | 57 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K34OZ-DTranslator | 57 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K20JY-DTranslator | 57 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K23FP-DTranslator | 57 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K15LT-DLow power | 57 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
How Buffalo compares with the rest of Minnesota
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Buffalo ranks 131st of 371 places in Minnesota: more than the typical Minnesota town (13). Its nearest major network tower is 26 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.
41% of Minnesota's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Maple Grove, 22 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Buffalo: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 102° ESE, the direction of KMSP-TV (Fox), 37 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 16 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 Buffalo, MN?
ABC is on channel 5 from KSTP-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles ESE of Buffalo. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Buffalo, MN?
CBS is on channel 4 from WCCO-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles ESE of Buffalo. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Buffalo, MN?
NBC is on channel 11 from KARE, broadcasting from 37 miles ESE of Buffalo. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Buffalo, MN?
Fox is on channel 9 from KMSP-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles ESE of Buffalo. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Buffalo, MN?
CW is on channel 23 from WUCW, broadcasting from 37 miles ESE of Buffalo. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Buffalo?
59 transmitters within 70 miles of Buffalo; around 16 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Buffalo?
Point your antenna ESE, at about 102°. The main network towers for Buffalo sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Buffalo?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Buffalo?
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 Buffalo?
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 Minnesota cities
- Delano9.9 mi
- Monticello10 mi
- Saint Michael11 mi
- Albertville12 mi
- Big Lake13 mi
- Annandale14 mi
- Otsego15 mi
- Rogers16 mi
- Winsted17 mi
- Cokato17 mi
- Corcoran17 mi
- Medina17 mi
- Elk River18 mi
- Minnetrista18 mi
- Dayton18 mi
- Orono19 mi
- Mound19 mi
- Maple Grove22 mi
- Ramsey22 mi
- Waconia23 mi
- Champlin23 mi
- Plymouth23 mi
- Zimmerman23 mi
- Shorewood23 mi
More: all TV stations in Minnesota · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Buffalo; signal estimates ignore terrain.