TV channels & antenna towers in Sultan, Washington

Sultan has 29 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K29ED-D, 16 miles to the WNW.

29TV transmitters within 70 miles
8networks over the air
16 mito the closest tower
4,798population

Network channels in Sultan

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
IONKWPX-TVION33 26 mi196° SSW GoodBellevue, WA
MeTVKFFVMeTV44.1 29 mi233° SW GoodSeattle, WA
NBCKING-TVNBC5 30 mi237° WSW GoodSeattle, WA
CWKUNS-TVCW51 30 mi238° WSW GoodBellevue, WA
ABCKOMO-TVABC4 30 mi238° WSW GoodSeattle, WA
CBSKIRO-TVCBS7 30 mi238° WSW GoodSeattle, WA
TBNKTBW-TVTrinity20 50 mi245° WSW FairTacoma, WA
FOXKCPQFox13 51 mi245° WSW FairTacoma, WA

Over-the-air TV in Sultan

Sultan is a town of about 4,800 people in Washington. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 29 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 7 low-power and 8 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.

1 of them is within 25 miles of Sultan, 17 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 11 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 strongest network signals here 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 Sultan

Point your antenna WSW, at about 238°. The main network towers for Sultan 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 30 miles southwest of Sultan (237° WSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Sultan at fair strength or better, 88% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Sultan

The farthest main network tower for Sultan is KIRO-TV (CBS), 30 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

KCPQ (Fox), 51 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

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 Sultan

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
K29ED-DLow power16 mi 299° WNWFairEverett, WA
KWDKFull power26 mi 196° SSWGoodTacoma, WA
KUSE-LDLow power26 mi 196° SSWWeakSeattle, WA
KZJOFull power29 mi 233° SWGoodSeattle, WA
KCTS-TVFull power29 mi 233° SWFairSeattle, WA
KSTWFull power29 mi 233° SWGoodTacoma, WA
KONGFull power30 mi 237° WSWGoodEverett, WA
KRUM-LDLow power30 mi 237° WSWFairSeattle, WA
K20NF-DLow power30 mi 237° WSWWeakSeattle, WA
KQAH-LDLow power30 mi 238° WSWFairMaltby, WA
KYMU-LDLow power30 mi 238° WSWWeakSeattle, WA
K18NI-DTranslator42 mi 224° SWPoorPoint Pulley, Etc., WA
KBTC-TVFull power52 mi 219° SWFairTacoma, WA
K18NH-DTranslator52 mi 204° SSWPoorPuyallup, WA
K15MW-DLow power55 mi 331° NNWPoorBellingham, WA
K12LV-DTranslator63 mi 106° ESEPoorDryden, WA
K08JP-DTranslator63 mi 106° ESEPoorDryden, WA
K10LG-DTranslator63 mi 106° ESEPoorDryden, WA
K13ER-DTranslator66 mi 110° ESEPoorCashmere, WA
K09ES-DTranslator66 mi 110° ESEPoorCashmere, WA
K11EZ-DTranslator66 mi 110° ESEPoorCashmere, WA

How Sultan compares with the rest of Washington

With 17 stations at fair strength or better, Sultan ranks 187th of 398 places in Washington: the same as the typical Washington town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 26 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 Cottage Lake, 15 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Sultan: 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 238° WSW, the direction of KIRO-TV (CBS), 30 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 17 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 Sultan, WA?

ABC is on channel 4 from KOMO-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles WSW of Sultan. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Sultan, WA?

CBS is on channel 7 from KIRO-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles WSW of Sultan. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Sultan, WA?

NBC is on channel 5 from KING-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles WSW of Sultan. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Sultan, WA?

Fox is on channel 13 from KCPQ, broadcasting from 51 miles WSW of Sultan. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Sultan, WA?

CW is on channel 51 from KUNS-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles WSW of Sultan. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Sultan?

29 transmitters within 70 miles of Sultan; around 17 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 Sultan?

Point your antenna WSW, at about 238°. The main network towers for Sultan sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Sultan?

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. Picking up Fox from up to 51 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Sultan?

KCPQ (Fox), 51 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Sultan?

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

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