TV stations in Texas

Texas has 385 licensed TV transmitters: 136 full-power, 35 Class A, 176 low-power and 38 translator stations. Translators make up 10% 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 San Antonio (12), Houston (10), Austin (10) and Corpus Christi (8). 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 Texas is KAMC (ABC) in Lubbock, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is KDBC-TV near El Paso, 602 m (1,975 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 1,039 cities and towns in Texas. A typical place gets 14 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 26 miles away. 24% of places can use an indoor antenna, 43% need an amplified or attic antenna, 32% an outdoor directional antenna and 1% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 90%, CBS 85%, NBC 86% and Fox 92%.

Forest Hill has the most stations in reach (34). Presidio is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 190 miles away.