TV stations in Ohio

Ohio has 100 licensed TV transmitters: 51 full-power, 13 Class A, 30 low-power and 6 translator stations. Translators make up 6% of the total, below the national share of 41%, a sign that most people live within reach of the main towers.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Columbus (9), Toledo (7), Cleveland (6) and Cincinnati (5). Those cities are where the main broadcast hubs sit, and most viewers aim their antennas toward one of them.

The most powerful full-power transmitter in Ohio is WCPO-TV (ABC) in Cincinnati, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is WYTV near Youngstown, 437 m (1,434 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 686 cities and towns in Ohio. A typical place gets 18 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 16 miles away. 27% of places can use an indoor antenna, 58% need an amplified or attic antenna, 15% an outdoor directional antenna and 0% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 99%, CBS 98%, NBC 99% and Fox 80%.

Fairlawn has the most stations in reach (29). Peebles is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 60 miles away.