TV channels & antenna towers in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio has a population of about 850,000. There are 33 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 17 full-power, 6 Class A, 9 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 16 at good or strong strength.

17 of them are within 25 miles of Columbus, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 16 are more than 45 miles out. Columbus is a broadcast hub in its own right: five of the 12 network stations in range are licensed here.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 6 (WSYX), CBS on channel 10 (WBNS-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WCMH-TV), Fox on channel 18.2 (WHIZ-TV), CW on channel 53 (WWHO), ION on channel 38 (WCPX-LD) and Telemundo on channel 23.3 (WQMC-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal). 7 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 Columbus are in different directions: ABC 216° SW (2.0 mi), CBS 294° WNW (1.7 mi) and NBC 294° WNW (1.7 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Two network stations, WCMH-TV and WBNS-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 1.7 miles northwest of Columbus (294° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Columbus at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for Columbus is WSYX (ABC), 2.0 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.

WHIZ-TV (Fox), 54 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.

WSFJ-TV is only 1.7 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 17 stations at fair strength or better, Columbus ranks 369th of 686 places in Ohio: fewer than the typical Ohio town (18). Its nearest major network tower is 1.7 miles away, against a state median of 16 miles.

27% of Ohio's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.