TV stations in Missouri

Missouri has 86 licensed TV transmitters: 35 full-power, 6 Class A, 42 low-power and 3 translator stations. Translators make up 3% of the total, below the national share of 41%, a sign that most people live within reach of the main towers.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to St. Louis (9), Kansas City (8), Springfield (4) and Joplin (3). Those cities are where the main broadcast hubs sit, and most viewers aim their antennas toward one of them.

The most powerful full-power transmitter in Missouri is KDNL-TV (ABC) in St. Louis, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is KOLR near Springfield, 631 m (2,070 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 398 cities and towns in Missouri. A typical place gets 12 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 23 miles away. 36% of places can use an indoor antenna, 30% need an amplified or attic antenna, 34% an outdoor directional antenna and 0% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 89%, CBS 92%, NBC 87% and Fox 90%.

Platte City has the most stations in reach (22). Mountain View is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 69 miles away.