TV channels & antenna towers in Alabama, New York

Alabama has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WPXJ-TV (ION), 22 miles to the S.

26TV transmitters within 70 miles
7networks over the air
22 mito the closest tower
1,818population

Network channels in Alabama

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
IONWPXJ-TVION51 22 mi189° S GoodBatavia, NY
NBCWGRZNBC2 28 mi198° SSW GoodBuffalo, NY
FOXWUTVFox29 28 mi260° W GoodBuffalo, NY
CBSWIVB-TVCBS4 32 mi202° SSW GoodBuffalo, NY
CWWNLOCW23 32 mi202° SSW GoodBuffalo, NY
ABCWKBW-TVABC7 34 mi200° SSW GoodBuffalo, NY
MeTVWBBZ-TVMeTV67.3 40 mi205° SSW FairSpringville, NY
FOXWUHFFox31 41 mi86° E GoodRochester, NY
CWWHAM-TVCW13.2 41 mi86° E FairRochester, NY
NBCWHEC-TVNBC10 41 mi86° E FairRochester, NY
CBSWROC-TVCBS8 41 mi86° E GoodRochester, NY

Over-the-air TV in Alabama

Alabama, New York has a population of about 1,820. Our map shows 26 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 4 Class A and 7 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 11 at good or strong strength.

1 of them is within 25 miles of Alabama, 23 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Buffalo, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Buffalo's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7 (WKBW-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WIVB-TV), NBC on channel 2 (WGRZ), Fox on channel 29 (WUTV), CW on channel 23 (WNLO), ION on channel 51 (WPXJ-TV) and MeTV on channel 67.3 (WBBZ-TV). 4 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 Alabama

The main network towers around Alabama are in different directions: ABC 200° SSW (34 mi), CBS 202° SSW (32 mi), NBC 198° SSW (28 mi) and Fox 260° W (28 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Four network stations, WUHF, WHAM-TV, WHEC-TV and WROC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 41 miles east of Alabama (86° E). 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 Alabama at fair strength or better, 45% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across three other directions.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Alabama, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Alabama

The farthest main network tower for Alabama is WKBW-TV (ABC), 34 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 Alabama

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WNED-TVFull power27 mi 260° WGoodBuffalo, NY
WWHC-LDLow power28 mi 198° SSWWeakOlean, NY
WVTT-CDClass A28 mi 198° SSWWeakOlean, NY
WBNF-CDClass A28 mi 260° WFairBuffalo, NY
WNYO-TVFull power28 mi 260° WGoodBuffalo, NY
WBXZ-LDLow power29 mi 239° WSWFairBuffalo, NY
WBUO-LDLow power36 mi 208° SSWWeakBuffalo, NY
WNIB-LDLow power39 mi 72° ENEPoorRochester, NY
WBGT-CDClass A41 mi 86° EWeakRochester, NY
WAWW-LDLow power41 mi 86° EPoorRochester, NY
WGCE-CDClass A41 mi 86° EWeakRochester, NY
WXXI-TVFull power41 mi 86° EGoodRochester, NY
W17ED-DLow power44 mi 125° SEPoorHornell, Alfred, NY
WNYBFull power65 mi 221° SWWeakJamestown, NY
W19ET-DLow power66 mi 147° SSEPoorBath, NY

How Alabama compares with the rest of New York

With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Alabama ranks 707th of 1,012 places in New York: fewer than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 22 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

42% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Lockport, 16 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Alabama: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 200° SSW, the direction of WKBW-TV (ABC), 34 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 16 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Alabama, NY?

ABC is on channel 7 from WKBW-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles SSW of Alabama. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Alabama, NY?

CBS is on channel 4 from WIVB-TV, broadcasting from 32 miles SSW of Alabama. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Alabama, NY?

NBC is on channel 2 from WGRZ, broadcasting from 28 miles SSW of Alabama. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Alabama, NY?

Fox is on channel 29 from WUTV, broadcasting from 28 miles W of Alabama. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Alabama, NY?

CW is on channel 23 from WNLO, broadcasting from 32 miles SSW of Alabama. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Alabama?

26 transmitters within 70 miles of Alabama; around 16 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 Alabama?

The main network towers around Alabama are in different directions: ABC 200° SSW (34 mi), CBS 202° SSW (32 mi), NBC 198° SSW (28 mi) and Fox 260° W (28 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Alabama?

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 61° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Alabama?

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 Alabama?

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 York cities

More: all TV stations in New York · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Alabama; signal estimates ignore terrain.