TV channels & antenna towers in Sturgis, South Dakota
Sturgis has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying NBC, Fox, CW and MeTV. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K35MW-D, 17 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Sturgis
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVKQMEMeTV | 5.1 | 17 mi | 251° WSW | Good | Lead, SD |
| NBCKNBNNBC | 21 | 25 mi | 149° SSE | Fair | Rapid City, SD |
| CWKCLO-TVCW | 15.2 | 27 mi | 151° SSE | Good | Rapid City, SD |
| MeTVKHMEMeTV | 23.1 | 27 mi | 151° SSE | Fair | Rapid City, SD |
| FOXKEVN-TVFox | 7 | 27 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Rapid City, SD |
| FOXKEVN-LDFox | 7 | 27 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Rapid City, SD |
Over-the-air TV in Sturgis
With roughly 6,690 residents, Sturgis is a town in South Dakota. Our map shows 21 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 7 full-power, 9 low-power and 5 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 7 transmitters are within 25 miles, 12 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther out. Five of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Rapid City, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rapid City's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are NBC on channel 21 (KNBN), Fox on channel 7 (KEVN-TV), CW on channel 15.2 (KCLO-TV) and MeTV on channel 5.1 (KQME). No ABC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KPRY-TV in Pierre, SD, 171 miles to the east. No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KGWC-TV in Casper, WY, 183 miles to the southwest. 2 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 Sturgis
Point your antenna SSE, at about 151°. The main network towers for Sturgis sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, KNBN, KCLO-TV, KHME and KEVN-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 25 miles southeast of Sturgis (149° SSE). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Sturgis at fair strength or better, 80% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Sturgis, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Sturgis
The farthest main network tower for Sturgis is KEVN-TV (Fox), 27 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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.
Other stations near Sturgis
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K35MW-DLow power | 17 mi | 251° WSW | Fair | Lead, SD |
| K04GW-DTranslator | 17 mi | 290° WNW | Poor | Spearfish, SD |
| K29OF-DLow power | 17 mi | 251° WSW | Fair | Deadwood, SD |
| K31QA-DLow power | 17 mi | 251° WSW | Fair | Deadwood, SD |
| KIVV-TVFull power | 17 mi | 250° WSW | Fair | Lead, SD |
| K19CG-DTranslator | 24 mi | 316° NW | Weak | Belle Fourche, SD |
| KKRA-LDLow power | 25 mi | 149° SSE | Weak | Rapid City, SD |
| KWBH-LDLow power | 25 mi | 149° SSE | Weak | Rapid City, SD |
| K15MY-DLow power | 27 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Caputa, SD |
| K22OV-DLow power | 27 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Caputa, SD |
| KBHE-TVFull power | 28 mi | 152° SSE | Good | Rapid City, SD |
| KRPC-LPLow power | 28 mi | 152° SSE | Fair | Rapid City, SD |
| K15KM-DTranslator | 43 mi | 268° W | Poor | Sundance, WY |
| K36NX-DTranslator | 46 mi | 178° S | Poor | Pringle, SD |
| K15II-DTranslator | 52 mi | 221° SW | Poor | Newcastle, WY |
How Sturgis compares with the rest of South Dakota
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Sturgis ranks 9th of 101 places in South Dakota: more than the typical South Dakota town (4). Its nearest major network tower is 17 miles away, against a state median of 31 miles.
35% of South Dakota's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Rapid City, 27 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Sturgis: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 152° SSE, the direction of KEVN-TV (Fox), 27 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
- Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
- Expect around 14 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
- Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is NBC in Sturgis, SD?
NBC is on channel 21 from KNBN, broadcasting from 25 miles SSE of Sturgis. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Sturgis, SD?
Fox is on channel 7 from KEVN-TV, broadcasting from 27 miles SSE of Sturgis. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Sturgis, SD?
CW is on channel 15.2 from KCLO-TV, broadcasting from 27 miles SSE of Sturgis. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Sturgis?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Sturgis; around 14 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Sturgis?
Point your antenna SSE, at about 151°. The main network towers for Sturgis sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Sturgis?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Sturgis?
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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Sturgis?
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 South Dakota cities
- Deadwood11 mi
- Lead13 mi
- Summerset17 mi
- Spearfish18 mi
- North Spearfish20 mi
- Blackhawk20 mi
- Belle Fourche25 mi
- Rapid City27 mi
- Colonial Pine Hills29 mi
- Box Elder30 mi
- Rapid Valley30 mi
- Custer45 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in South Dakota · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Sturgis; signal estimates ignore terrain.