TV channels & antenna towers in New York City, New York

New York City is a city of about 8,180,000 people in New York. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 56 licensed TV transmitters: 21 full-power, 5 Class A, 25 low-power and 5 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 40 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 34 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 40 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 11 farther out. Six of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to New York, so most of the network channels you will find here come from New York's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (WABC-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WCBS-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WNBC), Fox on channel 5 (WNYW), CW on channel 11 (WPIX), ION on channel 31 (WPXN-TV), Telemundo on channel 47 (WNJU), Univision on channel 41 (WXTV-DT) and MeTV on channel 33.1 (WJLP). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 12 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around New York City are in different directions: ABC 24° NNE (2.6 mi), CBS 257° WSW (0.4 mi), NBC 257° WSW (0.4 mi) and Fox 257° WSW (0.4 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Five network stations, WCBS-TV, WNYW, WNBC, WNJU and WPXN-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 0.4 miles west of New York City (257° WSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach New York City at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

The farthest main network tower for New York City is WABC-TV (ABC), 2.6 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WCBS-TV is only 0.4 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.

With 40 stations at fair strength or better, New York City ranks 63rd of 1,012 places in New York: more than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 0.4 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

34% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.