TV stations in New Mexico

New Mexico has 209 licensed TV transmitters: 25 full-power, 3 Class A, 40 low-power and 141 translator stations. Translators make up 67% of the total, well above the national share of 41%. That usually points to mountains or long rural distances that the main towers cannot cover on their own.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Albuquerque (11), Roswell (4), Santa Fe (4) and Clovis (2). 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 New Mexico is KRWB-TV (CW) in Roswell, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is KOAT-TV near Albuquerque, 1,292 m (4,239 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 152 cities and towns in New Mexico. A typical place gets 10 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 29 miles away. 17% of places can use an indoor antenna, 49% 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 65%, CBS 10%, NBC 83% and Fox 79%.

Albuquerque has the most stations in reach (22). Milan is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 68 miles away.