TV stations in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 107 licensed TV transmitters: 46 full-power, 18 Class A, 29 low-power and 14 translator stations. Translators make up 13% 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 Philadelphia (10), Pittsburgh (10), Scranton (5) and Erie (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 Pennsylvania is KDKA-TV (CBS) in Pittsburgh, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is WOLF-TV near Hazleton, 510 m (1,673 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 1,015 cities and towns in Pennsylvania. A typical place gets 24 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 16 miles away. 37% of places can use an indoor antenna, 44% need an amplified or attic antenna, 19% 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 98%, CBS 96%, NBC 94% and Fox 96%.

Bedminster has the most stations in reach (47). Johnsonburg is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 65 miles away.