TV channels & antenna towers in Platte City, Missouri
Platte City has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 22 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KCKS-LD, 18 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Platte City
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWDAF-TVFox | 4 | 23 mi | 154° SSE | Strong | Kansas City, MO |
| CBSKCTVCBS | 5 | 23 mi | 153° SSE | Strong | Kansas City, MO |
| CWKCWECW | 29 | 24 mi | 144° SE | Strong | Kansas City, MO |
| ABCKMBC-TVABC | 9 | 24 mi | 144° SE | Strong | Kansas City, MO |
| UNIKUKC-LDUnivision | 14 | 26 mi | 142° SE | Fair | Kansas City, MO |
| CWKNPG-CDCW | 21.2 | 26 mi | 353° N | Weak | Saint Joseph, MO |
| FOXKNPN-CDFox | 26 | 26 mi | 353° N | Fair | Saint Joseph, MO |
| CBSKCJO-CDCBS | 30 | 26 mi | 353° N | Weak | Saint Joseph, MO |
| ABCKQTVABC | 2 | 28 mi | 358° N | Fair | St. Joseph, MO |
| TBNKTAJ-TVTrinity | 16 | 28 mi | 149° SSE | Good | St. Joseph, MO |
| IONKPXE-TVION | 50 | 28 mi | 149° SSE | Good | Kansas City, MO |
| TLMKGKC-LDTelemundo | 39 | 28 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Kansas City, MO |
| NBCKSHB-TVNBC | 41 | 30 mi | 154° SSE | Good | Kansas City, MO |
| FOXKSNTFox | 27.2 | 57 mi | 251° WSW | Fair | Topeka, KS |
| FOXKTMJ-CDFox | 43 | 65 mi | 249° WSW | Poor | Topeka, KS |
| CWKTKA-TVCW | 49.3 | 65 mi | 249° WSW | Fair | Topeka, KS |
Over-the-air TV in Platte City
Platte City, Missouri has a population of about 4,830. There are 33 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power, 4 Class A, 13 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 22 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 5 transmitters are within 25 miles, 18 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Eight of the 16 network stations in range are licensed to Kansas City, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Kansas City's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 9 (KMBC-TV), CBS on channel 5 (KCTV), NBC on channel 41 (KSHB-TV), Fox on channel 4 (WDAF-TV), CW on channel 29 (KCWE), ION on channel 50 (KPXE-TV), Telemundo on channel 39 (KGKC-LD), Univision on channel 14 (KUKC-LD) and Trinity on channel 16 (KTAJ-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal) and Univision (fair 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 Platte City
Point your antenna SSE, at about 151°. The main network towers for Platte City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, KNPG-CD, KNPN-CD and KCJO-CD, transmit from the same tower site about 26 miles north of Platte City (353° N). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 11 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Platte City at fair strength or better, 64% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Platte City, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Platte City
The farthest main network tower for Platte City is KSHB-TV (NBC), 30 miles away with a good 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 Platte City
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCKS-LDLow power | 18 mi | 210° SSW | Fair | Kansas City, KS |
| KSMO-TVFull power | 25 mi | 139° SE | Good | Kansas City, MO |
| KCPTFull power | 26 mi | 141° SE | Strong | Kansas City, MO |
| K15MB-DLow power | 28 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Kansas City, MO |
| KCDN-LDLow power | 28 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Kansas City, MO |
| KAJF-LDLow power | 29 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Kansas City, MO |
| KCMN-LDLow power | 29 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Kansas City, MO |
| KQML-LDLow power | 29 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Kansas City, MO |
| KMCI-TVFull power | 30 mi | 154° SSE | Good | Lawrence, KS |
| KGKT-LDTranslator | 42 mi | 238° WSW | Poor | Lawrence, KS |
| K23MS-DLow power | 47 mi | 247° WSW | Poor | Kansas City, MO |
| KSQAFull power | 53 mi | 245° WSW | Poor | Topeka, KS |
| KMJC-LDLow power | 55 mi | 171° S | Poor | Kansas City, KS |
| KTWUFull power | 57 mi | 248° WSW | Weak | Topeka, KS |
| K15NC-DLow power | 61 mi | 244° WSW | Poor | Manhattan, KS |
| WROB-LDLow power | 61 mi | 244° WSW | Poor | Topeka, KS |
| K35KX-DLow power | 64 mi | 232° SW | Poor | Topeka, KS |
How Platte City compares with the rest of Missouri
With 22 stations at fair strength or better, Platte City ranks 1st of 398 places in Missouri: more than the typical Missouri town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 23 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. The nearest larger city is Leavenworth, 8.5 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Platte City: 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 154° SSE, the direction of KSHB-TV (NBC), 30 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 22 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 Platte City, MO?
ABC is on channel 9 from KMBC-TV, broadcasting from 24 miles SE of Platte City. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Platte City, MO?
CBS is on channel 5 from KCTV, broadcasting from 23 miles SSE of Platte City. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Platte City, MO?
NBC is on channel 41 from KSHB-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles SSE of Platte City. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Platte City, MO?
Fox is on channel 4 from WDAF-TV, broadcasting from 23 miles SSE of Platte City. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Platte City, MO?
CW is on channel 29 from KCWE, broadcasting from 24 miles SE of Platte City. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Platte City?
33 transmitters within 70 miles of Platte City; around 22 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 Platte City?
Point your antenna SSE, at about 151°. The main network towers for Platte City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Platte City?
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 Platte City?
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 Platte City?
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
- Smithville11 mi
- Parkville13 mi
- Gladstone17 mi
- Liberty21 mi
- Kansas City22 mi
- Plattsburg22 mi
- Kearney22 mi
- Independence28 mi
- Saint Joseph28 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Leavenworth, KS8.5 mi
- Lansing, KS11 mi
- Basehor, KS18 mi
- Kansas City, KS20 mi
- Bonner Springs, KS22 mi
- Atchison, KS22 mi
- Shawnee, KS23 mi
- Tonganoxie, KS24 mi
- Roeland Park, KS24 mi
- Merriam, KS24 mi
- Mission, KS25 mi
- Prairie Village, KS27 mi
- Overland Park, KS27 mi
- De Soto, KS29 mi
- Lenexa, KS29 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 Platte City; signal estimates ignore terrain.