TV channels & antenna towers in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Cape Girardeau has 16 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 8 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K10KM-D, 3.9 miles to the N.
Network channels in Cape Girardeau
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXKBSIFox | 23 | 7.4 mi | 341° NNW | Strong | Cape Girardeau, MO |
| CWKFVS-TVCW | 12.2 | 8.5 mi | 5° N | Good | Cape Girardeau, MO |
| TLMWQWQ-LDTelemundo | 18 | 8.5 mi | 5° N | Good | Paducah, KY |
| NBCWPSD-TVNBC | 6 | 31 mi | 105° ESE | Good | Paducah, KY |
| ABCWSIL-TVABC | 3 | 41 mi | 59° ENE | Good | Harrisburg, IL |
| ABCKPOB-TVABC | 15 | 62 mi | 236° SW | Poor | Poplar Bluff, MO |
Over-the-air TV in Cape Girardeau
With roughly 39,500 residents, Cape Girardeau is a town in Missouri. Our map shows 16 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 10 full-power, 1 Class A, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 8 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.
4 of them are within 25 miles of Cape Girardeau, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 7 are more than 45 miles out. Cape Girardeau is a broadcast hub in its own right: two of the 6 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 3 (WSIL-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WPSD-TV), Fox on channel 23 (KBSI), CW on channel 12.2 (KFVS-TV) and Telemundo on channel 18 (WQWQ-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KMOV in St. Louis, MO, 95 miles to the northwest. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal). 5 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 Cape Girardeau
The main network towers around Cape Girardeau are in different directions: ABC 59° ENE (41 mi), NBC 105° ESE (31 mi) and Fox 341° NNW (7.4 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Cape Girardeau at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Cape Girardeau, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Cape Girardeau
The farthest main network tower for Cape Girardeau is WSIL-TV (ABC), 41 miles away with a good 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.
KBSI is only 7.4 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 Cape Girardeau
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K10KM-DTranslator | 3.9 mi | 357° N | Fair | Cape Girardeau, MO |
| WTCTFull power | 32 mi | 57° ENE | Good | Marion, IL |
| WDKAFull power | 32 mi | 79° E | Good | Paducah, KY |
| KJBW-LDLow power | 44 mi | 182° S | Poor | New Madrid, MO |
| WKPDFull power | 49 mi | 107° ESE | Weak | Paducah, KY |
| W15BU-DClass A | 49 mi | 41° NE | Poor | Johnson City, IL |
| WSIU-TVFull power | 57 mi | 15° NNE | Weak | Carbondale, IL |
| WUWT-LDLow power | 65 mi | 156° SSE | Poor | Union City, TN |
| WKMUFull power | 69 mi | 128° SE | Poor | Murray, KY |
| K17LV-DLow power | 70 mi | 231° SW | Poor | Poplar Bluff, MO |
How Cape Girardeau compares with the rest of Missouri
With 8 stations at fair strength or better, Cape Girardeau ranks 271st of 398 places in Missouri: fewer than the typical Missouri town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 7.4 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.
30% of Missouri's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Cape Girardeau: 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 59° ENE, the direction of WSIL-TV (ABC), 41 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 8 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 Cape Girardeau, MO?
ABC is on channel 3 from WSIL-TV, broadcasting from 41 miles ENE of Cape Girardeau. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Cape Girardeau, MO?
NBC is on channel 6 from WPSD-TV, broadcasting from 31 miles ESE of Cape Girardeau. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Fox is on channel 23 from KBSI, broadcasting from 7.4 miles NNW of Cape Girardeau. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Cape Girardeau, MO?
CW is on channel 12.2 from KFVS-TV, broadcasting from 8.5 miles N of Cape Girardeau. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Telemundo in Cape Girardeau, MO?
Telemundo is on channel 18 from WQWQ-LD, broadcasting from 8.5 miles N of Cape Girardeau. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Cape Girardeau?
16 transmitters within 70 miles of Cape Girardeau; around 8 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 Cape Girardeau?
The main network towers around Cape Girardeau are in different directions: ABC 59° ENE (41 mi), NBC 105° ESE (31 mi) and Fox 341° NNW (7.4 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Cape Girardeau?
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. The towers are spread over about 124° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Cape Girardeau?
KBSI is only 7.4 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 Cape Girardeau?
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 Missouri cities
- Scott City6.2 mi
- Jackson9.7 mi
- Chaffee12 mi
- Marble Hill25 mi
- Advance26 mi
- Charleston28 mi
- Sikeston30 mi
- Perryville34 mi
- East Prairie37 mi
- Dexter43 mi
- Fredericktown46 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Anna, IL18 mi
- Cairo, IL28 mi
- Murphysboro, IL33 mi
- Carbondale, IL33 mi
- La Center, KY34 mi
- Goreville, IL35 mi
- Vienna, IL35 mi
- Carterville, IL40 mi
- Bardwell, KY41 mi
- Marion, IL43 mi
- Herrin, IL44 mi
- Metropolis, IL45 mi
- Chester, IL45 mi
More: all TV stations in Missouri · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Cape Girardeau; signal estimates ignore terrain.