TV channels & antenna towers in Cologne, Minnesota

Cologne has 80 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KHVM-LD, 17 miles to the NNE.

80TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
17 mito the closest tower
1,605population

Network channels in Cologne

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
TLMKJNK-LDTelemundo25 29 mi60° ENE FairMinneapolis, MN
UNIWUMN-LDUnivision21 29 mi61° ENE FairMinneapolis, MN
ABCKSTP-TVABC5 37 mi57° ENE GoodSt. Paul, MN
CWWUCWCW23 37 mi57° ENE GoodMinneapolis, MN
CBSWCCO-TVCBS4 37 mi57° ENE GoodMinneapolis, MN
NBCKARENBC11 37 mi57° ENE GoodMinneapolis, MN
MeTVKSTC-TVMeTV5.3 37 mi57° ENE GoodMinneapolis, MN
FOXKMSP-TVFox9 38 mi58° ENE FairMinneapolis, MN
IONKPXM-TVION41 43 mi26° NNE GoodSt. Cloud, MN
FOXKEYC-TVFox12.2 66 mi209° SSW PoorMankato, MN
CWKMNF-CDCW7.2 66 mi209° SSW PoorMankato, MN

Over-the-air TV in Cologne

Cologne, Minnesota has a population of about 1,610. There are 80 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 12 full-power, 2 Class A, 34 low-power and 32 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 21 between 25 and 45 miles, and 56 farther out. Seven of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Minneapolis, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Minneapolis's stations.

The strongest network signals here 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 (fair signal) and Univision (fair 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 Cologne

Point your antenna ENE, at about 57°. The main network towers for Cologne sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Six network stations, KSTP-TV, WUCW, WCCO-TV, KARE and KSTC-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 37 miles northeast of Cologne (57° ENE). 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 Cologne at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Cologne

The farthest main network tower for Cologne is KMSP-TV (Fox), 38 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 Cologne

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 69; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KHVM-LDLow power17 mi 22° NNEFairMinneapolis, MN
KTCJ-LDLow power17 mi 22° NNEFairMinneapolis, MN
KKTW-LDLow power22 mi 46° NEFairMinneapolis, MN
K14RB-DLow power29 mi 60° ENEFairSt. Paul, MN
KMBD-LDLow power29 mi 60° ENEWeakMinneapolis, MN
K33LN-DClass A29 mi 60° ENEFairMinneapolis, MN
KWJM-LDLow power29 mi 60° ENEFairMinneapolis, MN
KMQV-LDLow power29 mi 60° ENEFairRochester, MN
KMWE-LDLow power36 mi 70° ENEWeakSt. Paul, MN
WDMI-LDLow power36 mi 55° NEWeakMinneapolis, MN
WFTCFull power38 mi 58° ENEGoodMinneapolis, MN
KTCA-TVFull power38 mi 58° ENEGoodSt. Paul, MN
KTCI-TVFull power38 mi 58° ENEGoodSt. Paul, MN
K28PQ-DLow power42 mi 5° NPoorSaint Cloud, MN
K33MW-DLow power43 mi 198° SSWPoorMankato, MN
K21NU-DLow power51 mi 164° SSEPoorMinneapolis, MN
K31OR-DTranslator54 mi 269° WPoorOlivia, MN
K21NS-DTranslator54 mi 269° WPoorOlivia, MN
K18IR-DTranslator54 mi 269° WPoorOlivia, MN
K34OZ-DTranslator54 mi 269° WPoorOlivia, MN
K20JY-DTranslator54 mi 269° WPoorOlivia, MN
K23FP-DTranslator54 mi 269° WPoorOlivia, MN
K15LT-DLow power54 mi 269° WPoorOlivia, MN
W19EN-DTranslator54 mi 80° EPoorRiver Falls, WI
K25QC-DLow power56 mi 207° SSWPoorLake Crystal, MN

How Cologne compares with the rest of Minnesota

With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Cologne ranks 119th of 371 places in Minnesota: more than the typical Minnesota town (13). Its nearest major network tower is 29 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 Chaska, 8.9 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Cologne: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 58° ENE, the direction of KMSP-TV (Fox), 38 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 19 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Cologne, MN?

ABC is on channel 5 from KSTP-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles ENE of Cologne. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Cologne, MN?

CBS is on channel 4 from WCCO-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles ENE of Cologne. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Cologne, MN?

NBC is on channel 11 from KARE, broadcasting from 37 miles ENE of Cologne. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Cologne, MN?

Fox is on channel 9 from KMSP-TV, broadcasting from 38 miles ENE of Cologne. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Cologne, MN?

CW is on channel 23 from WUCW, broadcasting from 37 miles ENE of Cologne. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Cologne?

80 transmitters within 70 miles of Cologne; around 19 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 Cologne?

Point your antenna ENE, at about 57°. The main network towers for Cologne sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Cologne?

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 Cologne?

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 Cologne?

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

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