TV channels & antenna towers in Great Falls, Montana
Great Falls has 23 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC and MeTV. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KRTV (CBS), 2.5 miles to the NNE.
Network channels in Great Falls
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKRTVCBS | 3 | 2.5 mi | 17° NNE | Strong | Great Falls, MT |
| ABCKFBB-TVABC | 5 | 2.6 mi | 17° NNE | Strong | Great Falls, MT |
| MeTVKJJCMeTV | 16.1 | 3.6 mi | 226° SW | Good | Great Falls, MT |
| CBSKXLH-LDCBS | 9 | 50 mi | 202° SSW | Poor | Helena, MT |
| NBCKTVH-DTNBC | 12 | 50 mi | 202° SSW | Good | Helena, MT |
| ABCKHBB-LDABC | 21 | 61 mi | 214° SW | Poor | Helena, MT |
Over-the-air TV in Great Falls
Great Falls is a city of about 59,600 people in Montana. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 23 licensed TV transmitters: 6 full-power, 7 low-power and 10 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 7 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 15 farther out. Great Falls is a broadcast hub in its own right: three of the 6 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 5 (KFBB-TV), CBS on channel 3 (KRTV), NBC on channel 12 (KTVH-DT) and MeTV on channel 16.1 (KJJC). No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KHMT in Hardin, MT, 193 miles to the southeast. 2 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 Great Falls
Point your antenna NNE, at about 17°. The main network towers for Great Falls sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, KRTV and KFBB-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 2.5 miles north of Great Falls (17° NNE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Great Falls 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 Great Falls, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Great Falls
The farthest main network tower for Great Falls is KFBB-TV (ABC), 2.6 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.
KTVH-DT (NBC), 50 miles south, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
KRTV is only 2.5 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 Great Falls
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBGF-LDLow power | 2.5 mi | 17° NNE | Strong | Great Falls, MT |
| KUGFFull power | 2.5 mi | 17° NNE | Strong | Great Falls, MT |
| K25LM-DLow power | 3.6 mi | 226° SW | Fair | Great Falls, MT |
| K35KC-DLow power | 3.6 mi | 226° SW | Fair | Great Falls, MT |
| K11WQ-DLow power | 36 mi | 356° N | Poor | West Knees, MT |
| KUHM-TVFull power | 50 mi | 202° SSW | Fair | Helena, MT |
| K11WK-DTranslator | 53 mi | 115° ESE | Poor | Stanford, MT |
| K16KB-DTranslator | 58 mi | 325° NW | Poor | Conrad, MT |
| K18KM-DTranslator | 58 mi | 325° NW | Poor | Conrad, MT |
| K23LX-DTranslator | 58 mi | 325° NW | Poor | Conrad, MT |
| K25MZ-DTranslator | 58 mi | 325° NW | Poor | Conrad, MT |
| K33OP-DTranslator | 61 mi | 214° SW | Poor | Helena, MT |
| KJCX-LDTranslator | 61 mi | 214° SW | Poor | Helena, MT |
| K22OH-DLow power | 61 mi | 214° SW | Poor | Helena, MT |
| K12RE-DTranslator | 64 mi | 100° E | Poor | Denton, MT |
| K10RC-DTranslator | 64 mi | 100° E | Poor | Denton, MT |
| K26LQ-DLow power | 69 mi | 164° SSE | Poor | White Sulphur Spring, MT |
How Great Falls compares with the rest of Montana
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Great Falls ranks 14th of 104 places in Montana: more than the typical Montana town (5). Its nearest major network tower is 2.5 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
19% of Montana's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Great Falls: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 17° NNE, the direction of KFBB-TV (ABC), 2.6 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 9 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 Great Falls, MT?
ABC is on channel 5 from KFBB-TV, broadcasting from 2.6 miles NNE of Great Falls. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Great Falls, MT?
CBS is on channel 3 from KRTV, broadcasting from 2.5 miles NNE of Great Falls. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Great Falls, MT?
NBC is on channel 12 from KTVH-DT, broadcasting from 50 miles SSW of Great Falls. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Great Falls?
23 transmitters within 70 miles of Great Falls; around 9 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Great Falls?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 17°. The main network towers for Great Falls sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Great Falls?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks. Picking up NBC from up to 50 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Great Falls?
KTVH-DT (NBC), 50 miles south, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Great Falls?
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 Montana cities
More: all TV stations in Montana · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Great Falls; signal estimates ignore terrain.