TV channels & antenna towers in El Paso, Texas
El Paso has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying CBS, NBC, Fox, CW, Telemundo and Univision. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KCOS, 2.0 miles to the N.
Network channels in El Paso
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIKINT-TVUnivision | 26 | 2.6 mi | 5° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
| TLMKTDOTelemundo | 48 | 3.2 mi | 4° N | Strong | Las Cruces, NM |
| CWKVIA-TVCW | 7.2 | 3.2 mi | 4° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
| NBCKTSM-TVNBC | 9 | 3.2 mi | 4° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
| FOXKFOX-TVFox | 14 | 3.9 mi | 358° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
| CBSKDBC-TVCBS | 4 | 3.9 mi | 358° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
Over-the-air TV in El Paso
El Paso, Texas has a population of about 681,000. There are 13 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 9 full-power, 3 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
10 of them are within 25 miles of El Paso, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 1 is more than 45 miles out. El Paso is a broadcast hub in its own right: five of the 6 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations are CBS on channel 4 (KDBC-TV), NBC on channel 9 (KTSM-TV), Fox on channel 14 (KFOX-TV), CW on channel 7.2 (KVIA-TV), Telemundo on channel 48 (KTDO) and Univision on channel 26 (KINT-TV). No ABC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, NM, 239 miles to the north. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 3 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 El Paso
Point your antenna N, at about 360°. The main network towers for El Paso sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Six network stations, KINT-TV, KTDO, KVIA-TV, KTSM-TV and KFOX-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 2.6 miles north of El Paso (5° N). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach El Paso at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from El Paso, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for El Paso
The farthest main network tower for El Paso is KFOX-TV (Fox), 3.9 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.
KCOS is only 2.0 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.
Other stations near El Paso
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KCOSFull power | 2.0 mi | 11° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
| KSCEFull power | 3.2 mi | 4° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
| K27OJ-DLow power | 3.2 mi | 4° N | Good | El Paso, TX |
| KTFNFull power | 3.2 mi | 4° N | Strong | El Paso, TX |
| K19LZ-DTranslator | 44 mi | 325° NW | Poor | Las Cruces & Organ, NM |
| K22NM-DLow power | 44 mi | 325° NW | Poor | Las Cruces, NM |
| KCWF-LDLow power | 47 mi | 340° NNW | Poor | Las Cruces, NM |
How El Paso compares with the rest of Texas
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, El Paso ranks 658th of 1,039 places in Texas: fewer than the typical Texas town (14). Its nearest major network tower is 2.6 miles away, against a state median of 26 miles.
24% of Texas's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in El Paso: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 358° N, the direction of KFOX-TV (Fox), 3.9 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 10 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 CBS in El Paso, TX?
CBS is on channel 4 from KDBC-TV, broadcasting from 3.9 miles N of El Paso. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in El Paso, TX?
NBC is on channel 9 from KTSM-TV, broadcasting from 3.2 miles N of El Paso. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in El Paso, TX?
Fox is on channel 14 from KFOX-TV, broadcasting from 3.9 miles N of El Paso. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in El Paso, TX?
CW is on channel 7.2 from KVIA-TV, broadcasting from 3.2 miles N of El Paso. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Telemundo in El Paso, TX?
Telemundo is on channel 48 from KTDO, broadcasting from 3.2 miles N of El Paso. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in El Paso?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of El Paso; around 10 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 El Paso?
Point your antenna N, at about 360°. The main network towers for El Paso sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in El Paso?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in El Paso?
KCOS is only 2.0 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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in El Paso?
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 Texas cities
- Fort Bliss5.8 mi
- Canutillo12 mi
- Socorro13 mi
- Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia14 mi
- Westway15 mi
- Vinton15 mi
- Sparks16 mi
- Horizon City17 mi
- San Elizario17 mi
- Anthony18 mi
- Clint19 mi
- Homestead Meadows South19 mi
- Homestead Meadows North19 mi
- Agua Dulce22 mi
- Fabens26 mi
- Fort Hancock49 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Sunland Park, NM6.1 mi
- Santa Teresa, NM11 mi
- La Union, NM17 mi
- Anthony, NM18 mi
- Chaparral, NM19 mi
- Berino, NM23 mi
- Las Cruces, NM42 mi
- White Sands, NM43 mi
More: all TV stations in Texas · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of El Paso; signal estimates ignore terrain.