TV channels & antenna towers in Watertown, Minnesota
Watertown has 79 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 20 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KHVM-LD, 9.9 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Watertown
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLMKJNK-LDTelemundo | 25 | 28 mi | 88° E | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| UNIWUMN-LDUnivision | 21 | 28 mi | 88° E | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| IONKPXM-TVION | 41 | 34 mi | 41° NE | Good | St. Cloud, MN |
| ABCKSTP-TVABC | 5 | 35 mi | 79° ENE | Good | St. Paul, MN |
| CWWUCWCW | 23 | 35 mi | 79° ENE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| CBSWCCO-TVCBS | 4 | 35 mi | 79° ENE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| NBCKARENBC | 11 | 35 mi | 79° ENE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| MeTVKSTC-TVMeTV | 5.3 | 35 mi | 79° ENE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| FOXKMSP-TVFox | 9 | 36 mi | 79° E | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
Over-the-air TV in Watertown
Watertown, Minnesota has a population of about 4,290. Our map shows 79 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 1 Class A, 35 low-power and 32 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 20 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
3 of them are within 25 miles of Watertown, 21 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 55 are more than 45 miles 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 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 Watertown
Point your antenna ENE, at about 79°. The main network towers for Watertown 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 35 miles east of Watertown (79° ENE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Watertown 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 Watertown, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Watertown
The farthest main network tower for Watertown is KMSP-TV (Fox), 36 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Watertown
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 70; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KHVM-LDLow power | 9.9 mi | 74° ENE | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| KTCJ-LDLow power | 9.9 mi | 74° ENE | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| KKTW-LDLow power | 20 mi | 83° E | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| K14RB-DLow power | 28 mi | 88° E | Fair | St. Paul, MN |
| KMBD-LDLow power | 28 mi | 88° E | Weak | Minneapolis, MN |
| K33LN-DClass A | 28 mi | 88° E | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| KWJM-LDLow power | 28 mi | 88° E | Fair | Minneapolis, MN |
| KMQV-LDLow power | 28 mi | 88° E | Fair | Rochester, MN |
| K28PQ-DLow power | 30 mi | 13° NNE | Weak | Saint Cloud, MN |
| WDMI-LDLow power | 34 mi | 77° ENE | Weak | Minneapolis, MN |
| WFTCFull power | 36 mi | 79° E | Good | Minneapolis, MN |
| KTCA-TVFull power | 36 mi | 79° E | Good | St. Paul, MN |
| KTCI-TVFull power | 36 mi | 79° E | Good | St. Paul, MN |
| KMWE-LDLow power | 37 mi | 92° E | Weak | St. Paul, MN |
| WCMN-LDLow power | 45 mi | 333° NNW | Poor | St. Cloud-Sartell, MN |
| K26PF-DLow power | 49 mi | 330° NNW | Poor | Saint Cloud, MN |
| K31OR-DTranslator | 52 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K21NS-DTranslator | 52 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K18IR-DTranslator | 52 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K34OZ-DTranslator | 52 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K20JY-DTranslator | 52 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K23FP-DTranslator | 52 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| K15LT-DLow power | 52 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Olivia, MN |
| KONCFull power | 53 mi | 322° NW | Fair | Alexandria, MN |
| K33MW-DLow power | 56 mi | 190° S | Poor | Mankato, MN |
How Watertown compares with the rest of Minnesota
With 20 stations at fair strength or better, Watertown ranks 110th of 371 places in Minnesota: more than the typical Minnesota town (13). Its nearest major network tower is 28 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, 17 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Watertown: 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 79° E, the direction of KMSP-TV (Fox), 36 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 20 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 Watertown, MN?
ABC is on channel 5 from KSTP-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles ENE of Watertown. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Watertown, MN?
CBS is on channel 4 from WCCO-TV, broadcasting from 35 miles ENE of Watertown. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Watertown, MN?
NBC is on channel 11 from KARE, broadcasting from 35 miles ENE of Watertown. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Watertown, MN?
Fox is on channel 9 from KMSP-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles E of Watertown. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Watertown, MN?
CW is on channel 23 from WUCW, broadcasting from 35 miles ENE of Watertown. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Watertown?
79 transmitters within 70 miles of Watertown; around 20 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 Watertown?
Point your antenna ENE, at about 79°. The main network towers for Watertown sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Watertown?
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 Watertown?
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 Watertown?
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
- Delano6.1 mi
- Minnetrista6.6 mi
- Waconia8.3 mi
- Mound9.1 mi
- Winsted9.8 mi
- Victoria12 mi
- Orono12 mi
- Shorewood13 mi
- Medina14 mi
- Buffalo14 mi
- Chaska17 mi
- Chanhassen17 mi
- Minnetonka17 mi
- Corcoran17 mi
- Cokato18 mi
- Hopkins19 mi
- Saint Michael19 mi
- Shakopee19 mi
- Plymouth19 mi
- Minnetonka Mills20 mi
- Eden Prairie20 mi
- Glencoe20 mi
- Maple Grove21 mi
- Albertville21 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 Watertown; signal estimates ignore terrain.