TV channels & antenna towers in Olean, New York

Olean is a city of about 13,900 people in New York. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 21 licensed TV transmitters: 11 full-power, 1 Class A and 9 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 7 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 9 between 25 and 45 miles, and 12 farther out. Four of the 8 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 48 (WYDC), CW on channel 23 (WNLO), ION on channel 51 (WPXJ-TV) and MeTV on channel 67.3 (WBBZ-TV). 3 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Point your antenna NNW, at about 348°. The main network towers for Olean sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Three network stations, WKBW-TV, WIVB-TV and WNLO, transmit from the same tower site about 40 miles north of Olean (346° NNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Olean at fair strength or better, 83% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for Olean is WGRZ (NBC), 45 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WYDC (Fox), 69 miles east, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

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.

With 7 stations at fair strength or better, Olean ranks 971st of 1,012 places in New York: fewer than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 37 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 Jamestown, 41 miles away.