TV channels & antenna towers in Queens, New York

Queens has 54 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 40 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WNYZ-LD, 7.2 miles to the NW.

54TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
7.2 mito the closest tower
2,272,771population

Network channels in Queens

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
IONWPXU-LDION35 8.4 mi306° NW FairAmityville, NY
ABCWABC-TVABC7 9.1 mi301° WNW GoodNew York, NY
CWWPIXCW11 9.1 mi301° WNW GoodNew York, NY
UNIWXTV-DTUnivision41 9.1 mi301° WNW StrongPaterson, NJ
MeTVWJLPMeTV33.1 9.4 mi303° WNW GoodMiddletown Township, NJ
CBSWCBS-TVCBS2 9.5 mi283° WNW StrongNew York, NY
FOXWNYWFox5 9.5 mi283° WNW GoodNew York, NY
NBCWNBCNBC4 9.5 mi283° WNW StrongNew York, NY
TLMWNJUTelemundo47 9.5 mi283° WNW StrongLinden, NJ
IONWPXN-TVION31 9.5 mi283° WNW StrongNew York, NY
ABCWTNHABC8 69 mi42° NE PoorNew Haven, CT

Over-the-air TV in Queens

With roughly 2,270,000 residents, Queens is a city in New York. Our map shows 54 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 23 full-power, 5 Class A, 23 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 40 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 24 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 42 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Six of the 11 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.

For the networks, the best local options 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). 13 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 Queens

Point your antenna WNW, at about 288°. The main network towers for Queens sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Five network stations, WCBS-TV, WNYW, WNBC, WNJU and WPXN-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 9.5 miles west of Queens (283° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Queens at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Queens

The farthest main network tower for Queens is WNYW (Fox), 9.5 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

WFUT-DT is only 9.1 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 Queens

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 43; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WNYZ-LDLow power7.2 mi 309° NWFairNew York, NY
WNYK-LDLow power8.4 mi 306° NWFairTeaneck, NJ
WNMF-LDLow power8.4 mi 306° NWFairNew York, NY
WHTV-LDLow power8.4 mi 306° NWGoodNew York, NY
WNYD-LDLow power8.4 mi 306° NWFairNew York, NY
W02CY-DLow power8.4 mi 306° NWFairNew York, NY
W09CZ-DLow power8.8 mi 312° NWFairRoslyn, NY
WNYN-LDLow power9.0 mi 223° SWGoodNew York, NY
WNJJ-LDLow power9.0 mi 223° SWGoodNew York, NY
WXNY-LDLow power9.1 mi 301° WNWFairNew York, NY
WDYJ-LDLow power9.1 mi 301° WNWGoodNew York, NY
WFUT-DTFull power9.1 mi 301° WNWStrongNewark, NJ
WTBY-TVFull power9.1 mi 301° WNWGoodJersey City, NJ
WDYA-LDLow power9.1 mi 301° WNWGoodNew York, NY
WDVB-CDClass A9.1 mi 301° WNWGoodEdison, NJ
WNYE-TVFull power9.4 mi 303° WNWStrongNew York, NY
WMBQ-CDClass A9.5 mi 283° WNWPoorNew York, NY
WNETFull power9.5 mi 283° WNWFairNewark, NJ
WNWT-LDLow power9.5 mi 283° WNWGoodNew York, NY
WLIWFull power9.5 mi 283° WNWGoodGarden City, NY
WMBC-TVFull power9.5 mi 283° WNWStrongNewton, NJ
WKOB-LDLow power9.5 mi 283° WNWFairNew York, NY
WNDT-CDClass A9.5 mi 283° WNWFairManhattan, NY
WRNN-TVFull power9.5 mi 283° WNWGoodNew Rochelle, NY
WWOR-TVFull power9.5 mi 283° WNWGoodSecaucus, NJ

How Queens compares with the rest of New York

With 40 stations at fair strength or better, Queens ranks 63rd of 1,012 places in New York: more than the typical New York town (23). Its nearest major network tower is 8.4 miles away, against a state median of 22 miles.

34% of New York's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is New York City, 9.2 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Queens: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 283° WNW, the direction of WNYW (Fox), 9.5 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 40 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 Queens, NY?

ABC is on channel 7 from WABC-TV, broadcasting from 9.1 miles WNW of Queens. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Queens, NY?

CBS is on channel 2 from WCBS-TV, broadcasting from 9.5 miles WNW of Queens. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Queens, NY?

NBC is on channel 4 from WNBC, broadcasting from 9.5 miles WNW of Queens. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Queens, NY?

Fox is on channel 5 from WNYW, broadcasting from 9.5 miles WNW of Queens. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Queens, NY?

CW is on channel 11 from WPIX, broadcasting from 9.1 miles WNW of Queens. Estimated signal: good.

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

54 transmitters within 70 miles of Queens; around 40 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 Queens?

Point your antenna WNW, at about 288°. The main network towers for Queens sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Queens?

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 Queens?

WFUT-DT is only 9.1 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 Queens?

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 Queens; signal estimates ignore terrain.