TV stations in Tennessee

Tennessee has 99 licensed TV transmitters: 42 full-power, 11 Class A, 45 low-power and 1 translator stations. Translators make up 1% 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 Memphis (9), Nashville (8), Chattanooga (7) and Knoxville (6). 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 Tennessee is WATN-TV (ABC) in Memphis, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is WBXX-TV near Crossville, 728 m (2,387 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 299 cities and towns in Tennessee. A typical place gets 15 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 23 miles away. 31% of places can use an indoor antenna, 38% need an amplified or attic antenna, 31% 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 93%, NBC 90% and Fox 53%.

Gallatin has the most stations in reach (26). Cookeville is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 65 miles away.