TV channels & antenna towers in West Columbia, Texas

West Columbia has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 21 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KCVH-LD, 30 miles to the NNE.

33TV transmitters within 70 miles
10networks over the air
30 mito the closest tower
3,935population

Network channels in West Columbia

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
MeTVKYAZMeTV51.1 30 mi16° NNE GoodKaty, TX
UNIKXLN-DTUnivision45 30 mi16° NNE GoodRosenberg, TX
CBSKHOUCBS11 30 mi17° NNE FairHouston, TX
IONKPXB-TVION49 30 mi17° NNE GoodConroe, TX
TBNKETH-TVTrinity14 31 mi15° NNE GoodHouston, TX
TLMKTMDTelemundo47 31 mi15° NNE GoodGalveston, TX
CWKIAHCW39 31 mi17° NNE GoodHouston, TX
NBCKPRC-TVNBC2 31 mi17° NNE GoodHouston, TX
ABCKTRK-TVABC13 31 mi17° NNE FairHouston, TX
FOXKRIVFox26 31 mi17° NNE GoodHouston, TX

Over-the-air TV in West Columbia

With roughly 3,940 residents, West Columbia is a town in Texas. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 33 licensed TV transmitters: 17 full-power, 2 Class A and 14 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 21 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 14 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 25 between 25 and 45 miles, and 8 farther out. Six of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Houston, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Houston's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 13 (KTRK-TV), CBS on channel 11 (KHOU), NBC on channel 2 (KPRC-TV), Fox on channel 26 (KRIV), CW on channel 39 (KIAH), ION on channel 49 (KPXB-TV), Telemundo on channel 47 (KTMD), Univision on channel 45 (KXLN-DT), MeTV on channel 51.1 (KYAZ) and Trinity on channel 14 (KETH-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 7 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 West Columbia

Point your antenna NNE, at about 17°. The main network towers for West Columbia sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, KYAZ, KXLN-DT, KHOU, KPXB-TV and KETH-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 30 miles north of West Columbia (16° NNE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach West Columbia 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 West Columbia, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for West Columbia

The farthest main network tower for West Columbia is KRIV (Fox), 31 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

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 West Columbia

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
KCVH-LDLow power30 mi 16° NNEWeakHouston, TX
KUVM-CDClass A30 mi 16° NNEFairMissouri City, TX
KTBUFull power30 mi 16° NNEGoodConroe, TX
KHLM-LDLow power30 mi 16° NNEWeakHouston, TX
KZJLFull power30 mi 16° NNEGoodHouston, TX
KUVM-LDLow power30 mi 16° NNEWeakHouston, TX
KVVV-LDLow power31 mi 15° NNEFairHouston, TX
KLTJFull power31 mi 15° NNEGoodGalveston, TX
KVQT-LDLow power31 mi 15° NNEFairHouston, TX
KFTH-DTFull power31 mi 15° NNEGoodAlvin, TX
KUGB-CDClass A31 mi 15° NNEFairHouston, TX
KUHTFull power31 mi 15° NNEFairHouston, TX
KUBE-TVFull power31 mi 15° NNEGoodBaytown, TX
KDHU-LDLow power31 mi 15° NNEPoorHouston, TX
KTXHFull power31 mi 17° NNEGoodHouston, TX
KZHO-LDLow power46 mi 21° NNEPoorHouston, TX
KTDJ-LDLow power46 mi 22° NNEPoorDayton, TX
KBPX-LDLow power46 mi 22° NNEPoorHouston, TX
KQHO-LDLow power46 mi 22° NNEPoorHouston, TX
KAHO-LDLow power50 mi 19° NNEPoorWoodville, TX
KEHO-LDLow power52 mi 28° NNEPoorHouston, TX
KBMN-LDLow power52 mi 28° NNEPoorHouston, TX
K29OH-DLow power62 mi 240° WSWPoorVictoria, TX

How West Columbia compares with the rest of Texas

With 21 stations at fair strength or better, West Columbia ranks 288th of 1,039 places in Texas: more than the typical Texas town (14). Its nearest major network tower is 30 miles away, against a state median of 26 miles.

43% of Texas's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Lake Jackson, 15 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in West Columbia: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 17° NNE, the direction of KRIV (Fox), 31 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 21 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in West Columbia, TX?

ABC is on channel 13 from KTRK-TV, broadcasting from 31 miles NNE of West Columbia. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CBS in West Columbia, TX?

CBS is on channel 11 from KHOU, broadcasting from 30 miles NNE of West Columbia. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in West Columbia, TX?

NBC is on channel 2 from KPRC-TV, broadcasting from 31 miles NNE of West Columbia. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in West Columbia, TX?

Fox is on channel 26 from KRIV, broadcasting from 31 miles NNE of West Columbia. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in West Columbia, TX?

CW is on channel 39 from KIAH, broadcasting from 31 miles NNE of West Columbia. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in West Columbia?

33 transmitters within 70 miles of West Columbia; around 21 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 West Columbia?

Point your antenna NNE, at about 17°. The main network towers for West Columbia sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in West Columbia?

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 West Columbia?

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 West Columbia?

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

More: all TV stations in Texas · South region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of West Columbia; signal estimates ignore terrain.