TV channels & antenna towers in Chico, Washington
Chico has 24 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KTBW-TV (Trinity), 6.0 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Chico
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBNKTBW-TVTrinity | 20 | 6.0 mi | 222° SW | Strong | Tacoma, WA |
| FOXKCPQFox | 13 | 6.3 mi | 226° SW | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| CBSKIRO-TVCBS | 7 | 17 mi | 85° E | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| CWKUNS-TVCW | 51 | 17 mi | 85° E | Strong | Bellevue, WA |
| ABCKOMO-TVABC | 4 | 17 mi | 85° E | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| NBCKING-TVNBC | 5 | 17 mi | 85° E | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| MeTVKFFVMeTV | 44.1 | 19 mi | 89° E | Good | Seattle, WA |
| IONKWPX-TVION | 33 | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Bellevue, WA |
Over-the-air TV in Chico
Chico, Washington has a population of about 2,260. There are 24 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 14 full-power, 8 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 17 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 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.
For the networks, the best local options 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 Chico
The main network towers around Chico are in different directions: ABC 85° E (17 mi), CBS 85° E (17 mi), NBC 85° E (17 mi) and Fox 226° SW (6.3 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KIRO-TV, KUNS-TV, KOMO-TV and KING-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 17 miles east of Chico (85° E). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Chico at fair strength or better, 75% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Chico, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Chico
The farthest main network tower for Chico is KING-TV (NBC), 17 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.
KTBW-TV is only 6.0 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 Chico
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KQAH-LDLow power | 17 mi | 85° E | Fair | Maltby, WA |
| KYMU-LDLow power | 17 mi | 85° E | Fair | Seattle, WA |
| KONGFull power | 17 mi | 85° E | Strong | Everett, WA |
| KRUM-LDLow power | 17 mi | 85° E | Fair | Seattle, WA |
| K20NF-DLow power | 17 mi | 85° E | Fair | Seattle, WA |
| K18NI-DTranslator | 18 mi | 135° SE | Fair | Point Pulley, Etc., WA |
| KSTWFull power | 19 mi | 89° E | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| KCTS-TVFull power | 19 mi | 89° E | Fair | Seattle, WA |
| KZJOFull power | 19 mi | 89° E | Strong | Seattle, WA |
| KBTC-TVFull power | 25 mi | 158° SSE | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| KWDKFull power | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| KUSE-LDLow power | 35 mi | 102° ESE | Poor | Seattle, WA |
| K18NH-DTranslator | 37 mi | 145° SE | Poor | Puyallup, WA |
| K29ED-DLow power | 37 mi | 47° NE | Poor | Everett, WA |
| K15MW-DLow power | 67 mi | 12° NNE | Poor | Bellingham, WA |
| K25CG-DLow power | 67 mi | 226° SW | Poor | Aberdeen, WA |
How Chico compares with the rest of Washington
With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Chico ranks 132nd of 398 places in Washington: more than the typical Washington town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 6.0 miles away, against a state median of 19 miles.
16% of Washington's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Bremerton, 4.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Chico: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 85° E, the direction of KING-TV (NBC), 17 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 19 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 Chico, WA?
ABC is on channel 4 from KOMO-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Chico. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Chico, WA?
CBS is on channel 7 from KIRO-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Chico. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Chico, WA?
NBC is on channel 5 from KING-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Chico. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Chico, WA?
Fox is on channel 13 from KCPQ, broadcasting from 6.3 miles SW of Chico. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Chico, WA?
CW is on channel 51 from KUNS-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Chico. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Chico?
24 transmitters within 70 miles of Chico; around 19 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 Chico?
The main network towers around Chico are in different directions: ABC 85° E (17 mi), CBS 85° E (17 mi), NBC 85° E (17 mi) and Fox 226° SW (6.3 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Chico?
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 Chico?
KTBW-TV is only 6.0 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 Chico?
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
- Silverdale2.4 mi
- Tracyton2.6 mi
- Bremerton4.7 mi
- Port Orchard6.0 mi
- Parkwood7.2 mi
- East Port Orchard7.3 mi
- Bangor Trident Base7.7 mi
- Manchester8.6 mi
- Bainbridge Island8.9 mi
- Poulsbo9.1 mi
- Belfair12 mi
- Maplewood16 mi
- Vashon16 mi
- Seattle18 mi
- White Center18 mi
- Burien20 mi
- Shoreline20 mi
- Boulevard Park20 mi
- Gig Harbor20 mi
- Edmonds21 mi
- Normandy Park21 mi
- Riverton21 mi
- Artondale22 mi
- Mountlake Terrace22 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 Chico; signal estimates ignore terrain.