TV channels & antenna towers in Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue has 23 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 20 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KZJO, 5.0 miles to the W.
Network channels in Bellevue
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVKFFVMeTV | 44.1 | 5.1 mi | 274° W | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| NBCKING-TVNBC | 5 | 7.1 mi | 282° WNW | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| CWKUNS-TVCW | 51 | 7.3 mi | 282° WNW | Strong | Bellevue, WA |
| ABCKOMO-TVABC | 4 | 7.3 mi | 282° WNW | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| CBSKIRO-TVCBS | 7 | 7.4 mi | 282° WNW | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| IONKWPX-TVION | 33 | 13 mi | 124° SE | Strong | Bellevue, WA |
| TBNKTBW-TVTrinity | 20 | 28 mi | 261° W | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| FOXKCPQFox | 13 | 29 mi | 262° W | Fair | Tacoma, WA |
Over-the-air TV in Bellevue
Bellevue, Washington has a population of about 140,000. Our map shows 23 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 14 full-power, 7 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 20 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 16 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 17 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 1 farther out. Four of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to Seattle, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Seattle's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 4 (KOMO-TV), CBS on channel 7 (KIRO-TV), NBC on channel 5 (KING-TV), Fox on channel 13 (KCPQ), CW on channel 51 (KUNS-TV), ION on channel 33 (KWPX-TV), MeTV on channel 44.1 (KFFV) and Trinity on channel 20 (KTBW-TV). 6 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 Bellevue
Point your antenna W, at about 277°. The main network towers for Bellevue sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, KING-TV, KUNS-TV, KOMO-TV and KIRO-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 7.1 miles west of Bellevue (282° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Bellevue at fair strength or better, 88% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Bellevue, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Bellevue
The farthest main network tower for Bellevue is KCPQ (Fox), 29 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.
KZJO is only 5.0 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 Bellevue
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KZJOFull power | 5.0 mi | 274° W | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| KCTS-TVFull power | 5.1 mi | 274° W | Good | Seattle, WA |
| KSTWFull power | 5.1 mi | 274° W | Strong | Tacoma, WA |
| KONGFull power | 7.1 mi | 282° WNW | Strong | Everett, WA |
| KRUM-LDLow power | 7.1 mi | 282° WNW | Good | Seattle, WA |
| K20NF-DLow power | 7.1 mi | 282° WNW | Good | Seattle, WA |
| KQAH-LDLow power | 7.4 mi | 282° WNW | Good | Maltby, WA |
| KYMU-LDLow power | 7.4 mi | 282° WNW | Fair | Seattle, WA |
| KWDKFull power | 13 mi | 124° SE | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| KUSE-LDLow power | 13 mi | 124° SE | Fair | Seattle, WA |
| K18NI-DTranslator | 17 mi | 222° SW | Fair | Point Pulley, Etc., WA |
| K29ED-DLow power | 26 mi | 8° N | Weak | Everett, WA |
| KBTC-TVFull power | 27 mi | 213° SSW | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| K18NH-DTranslator | 30 mi | 186° S | Weak | Puyallup, WA |
| K15MW-DLow power | 66 mi | 352° N | Poor | Bellingham, WA |
How Bellevue compares with the rest of Washington
With 20 stations at fair strength or better, Bellevue ranks 65th of 398 places in Washington: more than the typical Washington town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 5.1 miles away, against a state median of 19 miles.
60% of Washington's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Seattle, 6.1 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Bellevue: 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 262° W, the direction of KCPQ (Fox), 29 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 20 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 ABC in Bellevue, WA?
ABC is on channel 4 from KOMO-TV, broadcasting from 7.3 miles WNW of Bellevue. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Bellevue, WA?
CBS is on channel 7 from KIRO-TV, broadcasting from 7.4 miles WNW of Bellevue. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Bellevue, WA?
NBC is on channel 5 from KING-TV, broadcasting from 7.1 miles WNW of Bellevue. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Bellevue, WA?
Fox is on channel 13 from KCPQ, broadcasting from 29 miles W of Bellevue. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Bellevue, WA?
CW is on channel 51 from KUNS-TV, broadcasting from 7.3 miles WNW of Bellevue. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Bellevue?
23 transmitters within 70 miles of Bellevue; around 20 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 Bellevue?
Point your antenna W, at about 277°. The main network towers for Bellevue sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Bellevue?
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 Bellevue?
KZJO is only 5.0 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 Bellevue?
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 Washington cities
- Mercer Island2.9 mi
- Kirkland4.9 mi
- West Lake Sammamish5.2 mi
- Newcastle5.4 mi
- Redmond5.7 mi
- Sammamish6.0 mi
- Seattle6.1 mi
- City of Sammamish7.6 mi
- Inglewood-Finn Hill7.7 mi
- Kingsgate8.1 mi
- Bryn Mawr-Skyway8.2 mi
- Renton8.8 mi
- Union Hill-Novelty Hill9.3 mi
- Klahanie9.4 mi
- Issaquah9.6 mi
- East Renton Highlands9.6 mi
- White Center9.6 mi
- Riverton9.8 mi
- Tukwila9.8 mi
- Boulevard Park9.9 mi
- Woodinville10 mi
- Kenmore10 mi
- Bothell11 mi
- Lake Forest Park11 mi
More: all TV stations in Washington · West region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bellevue; signal estimates ignore terrain.