TV channels & antenna towers in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW, Telemundo and Univision. About 22 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KWPL-LD, 7.4 miles to the W.
Network channels in Albuquerque
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXKRQEFox | 13.2 | 14 mi | 52° NE | Good | Albuquerque, NM |
| NBCKOBNBC | 4 | 14 mi | 52° NE | Good | Albuquerque, NM |
| TBNKNAT-TVTrinity | 23 | 14 mi | 52° NE | Strong | Albuquerque, NM |
| TLMKASA-TVTelemundo | 2 | 14 mi | 52° NE | Strong | Santa Fe, NM |
| CWKWBQCW | 19 | 14 mi | 52° NE | Good | Santa Fe, NM |
| ABCKOAT-TVABC | 7 | 14 mi | 51° NE | Good | Albuquerque, NM |
| UNIKLUZ-TVUnivision | 14 | 23 mi | 349° N | Strong | Albuquerque, NM |
Over-the-air TV in Albuquerque
Albuquerque is a city of about 559,000 people in New Mexico. There are 25 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 13 full-power, 2 Class A, 9 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 13 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 22 transmitters are within 25 miles, 0 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Albuquerque is a broadcast hub in its own right: five of the 7 network stations in range are licensed here.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (KOAT-TV), NBC on channel 4 (KOB), Fox on channel 13.2 (KRQE), CW on channel 19 (KWBQ), Telemundo on channel 2 (KASA-TV), Univision on channel 14 (KLUZ-TV) and Trinity on channel 23 (KNAT-TV). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KREZ-TV in Durango, CO, 166 miles to the northwest. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 6 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 Albuquerque
Point your antenna NE, at about 52°. The main network towers for Albuquerque sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KRQE, KOB, KNAT-TV, KASA-TV and KWBQ and others, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles northeast of Albuquerque (52° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Albuquerque at fair strength or better, 86% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Albuquerque, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Albuquerque
The farthest main network tower for Albuquerque is KOAT-TV (ABC), 14 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
KTFQ-TV is only 14 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 Albuquerque
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KWPL-LDLow power | 7.4 mi | 261° W | Good | Santa Fe, NM |
| KTFQ-TVFull power | 14 mi | 52° NE | Strong | Albuquerque, NM |
| KNME-TVFull power | 14 mi | 52° NE | Good | Albuquerque, NM |
| KNMD-TVFull power | 14 mi | 52° NE | Fair | Santa Fe, NM |
| KQDF-LDLow power | 14 mi | 52° NE | Fair | Santa Fe, NM |
| KASY-TVFull power | 14 mi | 52° NE | Good | Albuquerque, NM |
| KAZQFull power | 14 mi | 52° NE | Good | Albuquerque, NM |
| KTVS-LDLow power | 14 mi | 52° NE | Fair | Albuquerque, NM |
| KCHFFull power | 14 mi | 51° NE | Good | Santa Fe, NM |
| KTEL-CDClass A | 14 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Albuquerque, NM |
| K34PZ-DLow power | 14 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Albuquerque, NM |
| KYNM-CDClass A | 14 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Albuquerque, NM |
| KNMQ-LDLow power | 14 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Albuquerque, NM |
| KRTN-LDLow power | 14 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Albuquerque, NM |
| KUPT-LDLow power | 14 mi | 51° NE | Fair | Albuquerque, NM |
| K19NF-DLow power | 47 mi | 193° SSW | Poor | Socorro, NM |
| K31NB-DLow power | 57 mi | 15° NNE | Poor | Santa Fe, NM |
| K34HF-DTranslator | 65 mi | 350° N | Poor | Cuba, NM |
How Albuquerque compares with the rest of New Mexico
With 22 stations at fair strength or better, Albuquerque ranks 1st of 152 places in New Mexico: more than the typical New Mexico town (10). Its nearest major network tower is 14 miles away, against a state median of 29 miles.
17% of New Mexico's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Albuquerque: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 51° NE, the direction of KOAT-TV (ABC), 14 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 Albuquerque, NM?
ABC is on channel 7 from KOAT-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles NE of Albuquerque. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Albuquerque, NM?
NBC is on channel 4 from KOB, broadcasting from 14 miles NE of Albuquerque. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Albuquerque, NM?
Fox is on channel 13.2 from KRQE, broadcasting from 14 miles NE of Albuquerque. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Albuquerque, NM?
CW is on channel 19 from KWBQ, broadcasting from 14 miles NE of Albuquerque. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Telemundo in Albuquerque, NM?
Telemundo is on channel 2 from KASA-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles NE of Albuquerque. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Albuquerque?
25 transmitters within 70 miles of Albuquerque; around 22 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 Albuquerque?
Point your antenna NE, at about 52°. The main network towers for Albuquerque sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Albuquerque?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Albuquerque?
KTFQ-TV is only 14 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 Albuquerque?
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 New Mexico cities
- Lee Acres4.4 mi
- South Valley5.4 mi
- Los Ranchos de Albuquerque5.4 mi
- North Valley6.3 mi
- Paradise Hills8.5 mi
- Rio Rancho10 mi
- Corrales11 mi
- Carnuel11 mi
- Sandia Heights11 mi
- Bernalillo16 mi
- Enchanted Hills18 mi
- Los Lunas20 mi
- Ponderosa Pine20 mi
- Sandia Knolls20 mi
- Meadow Lake20 mi
- Los Chavez26 mi
- Edgewood26 mi
- Belen30 mi
- Santo Domingo Pueblo34 mi
- Moriarty35 mi
- Jemez Pueblo37 mi
- Estancia41 mi
- Laguna42 mi
- La Cienega44 mi
More: all TV stations in New Mexico · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Albuquerque; signal estimates ignore terrain.