TV channels & antenna towers in Kent, Washington

Kent, Washington has a population of about 127,000. There are 25 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power, 8 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 21 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

19 of them are within 25 miles of Kent, 3 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 3 are more than 45 miles 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). 7 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Kent are in different directions: ABC 342° NNW (18 mi), CBS 342° NNW (18 mi), NBC 343° NNW (18 mi) and Fox 294° WNW (29 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Four network stations, KING-TV, KUNS-TV, KOMO-TV and KIRO-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 18 miles north of Kent (343° NNW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Kent at fair strength or better, 63% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across two other directions.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Kent, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for Kent is KCPQ (Fox), 29 miles away with a fair 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.

With 21 stations at fair strength or better, Kent ranks 5th of 398 places in Washington: more than the typical Washington town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 15 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, 16 miles away.