TV channels & antenna towers in Grand Island, New York

Grand Island has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WUTV (Fox), 1.8 miles to the ESE.

25TV transmitters within 70 miles
7networks over the air
1.8 mito the closest tower
20,813population

Network channels in Grand Island

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWUTVFox29 1.8 mi107° ESE StrongBuffalo, NY
NBCWGRZNBC2 30 mi137° SE GoodBuffalo, NY
IONWPXJ-TVION51 31 mi124° SE GoodBatavia, NY
CBSWIVB-TVCBS4 31 mi146° SSE GoodBuffalo, NY
CWWNLOCW23 31 mi146° SSE GoodBuffalo, NY
ABCWKBW-TVABC7 32 mi147° SSE GoodBuffalo, NY
MeTVWBBZ-TVMeTV67.3 34 mi159° SSE FairSpringville, NY
FOXWUHFFox31 70 mi84° E PoorRochester, NY
CWWHAM-TVCW13.2 70 mi84° E PoorRochester, NY
NBCWHEC-TVNBC10 70 mi84° E PoorRochester, NY
CBSWROC-TVCBS8 70 mi84° E PoorRochester, NY

Over-the-air TV in Grand Island

Grand Island, New York has a population of about 20,800. Our map shows 25 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 4 Class A and 6 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 5 transmitters are within 25 miles, 9 between 25 and 45 miles, and 11 farther 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.

For the networks, the best local options 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 Grand Island

Point your antenna SE, at about 135°. The main network towers for Grand Island sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Three network stations, WIVB-TV, WNLO and WKBW-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 31 miles southeast of Grand Island (146° SSE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Grand Island at fair strength or better, 71% 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 Grand Island, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Grand Island

The farthest main network tower for Grand Island is WKBW-TV (ABC), 32 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

WUTV is only 1.8 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 Grand Island

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WBNF-CDClass A1.8 mi 107° ESEStrongBuffalo, NY
WNYO-TVFull power1.8 mi 107° ESEStrongBuffalo, NY
WNED-TVFull power2.1 mi 96° EStrongBuffalo, NY
WBXZ-LDLow power11 mi 158° SSEGoodBuffalo, NY
WWHC-LDLow power30 mi 137° SEWeakOlean, NY
WVTT-CDClass A30 mi 137° SEWeakOlean, NY
WBUO-LDLow power30 mi 155° SSEFairBuffalo, NY
WNYBFull power46 mi 197° SSWWeakJamestown, NY
WNIB-LDLow power68 mi 76° ENEPoorRochester, NY
W17ED-DLow power69 mi 108° ESEPoorHornell, Alfred, NY
WBGT-CDClass A70 mi 84° EPoorRochester, NY
WAWW-LDLow power70 mi 84° EPoorRochester, NY
WGCE-CDClass A70 mi 84° EPoorRochester, NY
WXXI-TVFull power70 mi 84° EPoorRochester, NY

How Grand Island compares with the rest of New York

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Grand Island ranks 882nd of 1,012 places in New York: fewer than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 1.8 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 Niagara Falls, 6.4 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Grand Island: 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 147° SSE, the direction of WKBW-TV (ABC), 32 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 12 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 Grand Island, NY?

ABC is on channel 7 from WKBW-TV, broadcasting from 32 miles SSE of Grand Island. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Grand Island, NY?

CBS is on channel 4 from WIVB-TV, broadcasting from 31 miles SSE of Grand Island. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Grand Island, NY?

NBC is on channel 2 from WGRZ, broadcasting from 30 miles SE of Grand Island. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Grand Island, NY?

Fox is on channel 29 from WUTV, broadcasting from 1.8 miles ESE of Grand Island. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Grand Island, NY?

CW is on channel 23 from WNLO, broadcasting from 31 miles SSE of Grand Island. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Grand Island?

25 transmitters within 70 miles of Grand Island; around 12 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 Grand Island?

Point your antenna SE, at about 135°. The main network towers for Grand Island sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Grand Island?

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 Grand Island?

WUTV is only 1.8 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 Grand Island?

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 Grand Island; signal estimates ignore terrain.