TV channels & antenna towers in Spanaway, Washington
Spanaway has 38 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 16 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K18NH-D, 9.3 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Spanaway
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBNKTBW-TVTrinity | 20 | 35 mi | 331° NNW | Fair | Tacoma, WA |
| IONKWPX-TVION | 33 | 35 mi | 38° NE | Good | Bellevue, WA |
| FOXKCPQFox | 13 | 35 mi | 330° NNW | Fair | Tacoma, WA |
| MeTVKFFVMeTV | 44.1 | 36 mi | 9° N | Good | Seattle, WA |
| NBCKING-TVNBC | 5 | 37 mi | 6° N | Good | Seattle, WA |
| CWKUNS-TVCW | 51 | 37 mi | 6° N | Good | Bellevue, WA |
| ABCKOMO-TVABC | 4 | 37 mi | 6° N | Good | Seattle, WA |
| CBSKIRO-TVCBS | 7 | 37 mi | 6° N | Good | Seattle, WA |
Over-the-air TV in Spanaway
With roughly 27,200 residents, Spanaway is a city in Washington. Our map shows 38 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 15 full-power, 11 low-power and 12 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 16 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 18 between 25 and 45 miles, and 17 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). 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 Spanaway
Point your antenna N, at about 357°. The main network towers for Spanaway 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 37 miles north of Spanaway (6° N). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Spanaway 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 Spanaway, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Spanaway
The farthest main network tower for Spanaway is KIRO-TV (CBS), 37 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 Spanaway
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 30; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K18NH-DTranslator | 9.3 mi | 59° ENE | Fair | Puyallup, WA |
| KBTC-TVFull power | 13 mi | 343° NNW | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| K18NI-DTranslator | 22 mi | 359° N | Weak | Point Pulley, Etc., WA |
| KWDKFull power | 35 mi | 38° NE | Good | Tacoma, WA |
| KUSE-LDLow power | 35 mi | 38° NE | Poor | Seattle, WA |
| KSTWFull power | 36 mi | 9° N | Fair | Tacoma, WA |
| KZJOFull power | 36 mi | 9° N | Good | Seattle, WA |
| KCTS-TVFull power | 36 mi | 9° N | Fair | Seattle, WA |
| KONGFull power | 37 mi | 6° N | Good | Everett, WA |
| KRUM-LDLow power | 37 mi | 6° N | Weak | Seattle, WA |
| K20NF-DLow power | 37 mi | 6° N | Poor | Seattle, WA |
| KQAH-LDLow power | 37 mi | 6° N | Weak | Maltby, WA |
| KYMU-LDLow power | 37 mi | 6° N | Poor | Seattle, WA |
| K17NX-DLow power | 48 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Centralia/Chehalis, WA |
| KCKAFull power | 48 mi | 218° SW | Fair | Centralia, WA |
| K15MI-DLow power | 48 mi | 218° SW | Poor | Centralia/Chelasis, WA |
| K29ED-DLow power | 62 mi | 13° NNE | Poor | Everett, WA |
| K25CG-DLow power | 63 mi | 259° W | Poor | Aberdeen, WA |
| K15IQ-DLow power | 66 mi | 237° WSW | Poor | Astoria, OR |
| K36OJ-DTranslator | 68 mi | 197° SSW | Poor | Rainier, OR |
| K17GV-DTranslator | 68 mi | 197° SSW | Poor | Rainier, OR |
| K28IH-DTranslator | 68 mi | 197° SSW | Poor | Rainier, OR |
| K31HK-DTranslator | 68 mi | 197° SSW | Poor | Rainier, OR |
| K15IX-DTranslator | 68 mi | 197° SSW | Poor | Rainier, OR |
| K27NZ-DLow power | 68 mi | 201° SSW | Poor | Longview, WA |
How Spanaway compares with the rest of Washington
With 16 stations at fair strength or better, Spanaway ranks 210th of 398 places in Washington: fewer than the typical Washington town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 35 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 Lakewood, 6.1 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Spanaway: 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 6° N, the direction of KIRO-TV (CBS), 37 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 16 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 Spanaway, WA?
ABC is on channel 4 from KOMO-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles N of Spanaway. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Spanaway, WA?
CBS is on channel 7 from KIRO-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles N of Spanaway. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Spanaway, WA?
NBC is on channel 5 from KING-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles N of Spanaway. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Spanaway, WA?
Fox is on channel 13 from KCPQ, broadcasting from 35 miles NNW of Spanaway. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CW in Spanaway, WA?
CW is on channel 51 from KUNS-TV, broadcasting from 37 miles N of Spanaway. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Spanaway?
38 transmitters within 70 miles of Spanaway; around 16 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 Spanaway?
Point your antenna N, at about 357°. The main network towers for Spanaway sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Spanaway?
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 Spanaway?
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 Spanaway?
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
- Parkland3.6 mi
- Frederickson3.6 mi
- Elk Plain3.9 mi
- Summit View4.5 mi
- Midland4.6 mi
- Summit5.4 mi
- Lakewood6.1 mi
- Joint Base Lewis McChord6.7 mi
- Waller7.3 mi
- Graham7.5 mi
- South Hill8.1 mi
- Puyallup8.7 mi
- Steilacoom9.1 mi
- DuPont9.3 mi
- Fife10 mi
- Fircrest10 mi
- Tacoma10 mi
- University Place11 mi
- Orting11 mi
- Sumner11 mi
- Milton11 mi
- Edgewood12 mi
- Bonney Lake13 mi
- Wollochet13 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 Spanaway; signal estimates ignore terrain.