Best TV antenna for New York, NY
New York TV market · 24 stations · tower locations from FCC records, checked October 30, 2026
The short answer
- Get an antenna rated for VHF-high (channels 7–13) and UHF; many flat "HD" antennas are weak on VHF-high (add VHF-low only if you want WJLP).
- Most of New York's towers are close to the city — 2 miles south-southwest of downtown — so in town, height and a clear window matter more than aim; farther out, point south-southwest. Exceptions: WNJN (29 miles west-southwest), WNJB (29 miles west-southwest), WFTY-DT (54 miles east), WEDW (55 miles northeast).
- From most of New York an indoor antenna by a window often works; go to the attic or roof if you're in a basement, behind a hill or want the VHF stations.
- Nothing special is needed for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0): the same antenna works.
Measured from central New York. Hills, buildings and trees matter as much as miles, so use your zip below and the address-level maps linked at the bottom before you buy.
Check from your zip code
Where New York’s TV towers are
The channel number on your TV isn’t the frequency the station uses. The “real channel” decides which antenna you need: 2–6 is VHF-low, 7–13 VHF-high, 14–36 UHF.
| Station | Real channel | Tower from New York |
|---|---|---|
| WNYE-TV (ETV 25) | 24 · UHF | about a mile west |
| WTBY-TV (TBN 54) | 23 · UHF | about a mile south-southwest |
| WABC-TV (ABC 7) | 7 · VHF-high | about a mile south-southwest |
| WPIX (CW 11) NextGen TV only | 11 · VHF-high | about a mile south-southwest |
| WXTV-DT (Univision 41) | 26 · UHF | about a mile south-southwest |
| WZME (Story Television 43) | 21 · UHF | about a mile south-southwest |
| WFUT-DT (UniMás 68) | 26 · UHF | about a mile south-southwest |
| WCBS-TV (CBS 2) | 36 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WNBC (NBC 4) | 35 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WNYW (FOX 5) | 27 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WWOR-TV (MyNetworkTV 9) | 25 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WNET (PBS 13) | 12 · VHF-high | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WLIW (PBS 21) NextGen TV only | 32 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WPXN-TV (ION 31) | 34 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WJLP (MeTV 33) | 3 · VHF-low | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WNJU (Telemundo 47) | 35 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WRNN-TV (Shop LC 48) | 25 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WMBC-TV (EstrellaTV 63) | 18 · UHF | 3 miles south-southwest |
| WEPT-CD (15) | 28 · UHF | 14 miles north-northeast |
| WNJN (PBS 50) | 8 · VHF-high | 29 miles west-southwest |
| WNJB (PBS 58) | 8 · VHF-high | 29 miles west-southwest |
| WFTY-DT (True Crime 67) | 23 · UHF | 54 miles east |
| WEDW (PBS 49) | 21 · UHF | 55 miles northeast |
| WLNY-TV (55) | 29 · UHF | 57 miles east |
Also in the New York market but more than 70 miles from New York: WVVH-CD (87 miles east).
The VHF stations to plan for
WJLP (MeTV 33) broadcasts on VHF-low (real channel 3). That’s the hardest band for small antennas: it needs long elements, and indoor or flat antennas often miss it even close to the tower.
WABC-TV (ABC 7), WPIX (CW 11), WNET (PBS 13), WNJN (PBS 50) and WNJB (PBS 58) broadcast on VHF-high (real channels 7, 11, 12, 8 and 8). If those drop out while UHF stations come in fine, the antenna is the likely cause: pick one that lists VHF-high reception, or extend the rabbit-ear dipoles on an indoor model.
Which type to buy
- Indoor antenna: fine if you’re within roughly 20 miles of the towers with a window facing them, and if it lists VHF reception. Put it high and near the window.
- Attic or outdoor antenna: the better choice beyond about 20–25 miles, behind hills, or for the VHF stations. Outdoors beats attic; roofing and insulation absorb signal.
- Preamplifier: helps with long cable runs, several TVs on one antenna, or fringe distances. It can make things worse if you’re very close to the towers, because strong signals overload it.
- Skip anything sold as a special “4K”, “HD” or “NextGen TV” antenna. Antennas don’t have formats; only the bands and the gain matter.
Questions
What kind of antenna do I need in New York?
You need an antenna rated for VHF-high (channels 7–13) and UHF; many flat "HD" antennas are weak on VHF-high (add VHF-low only if you want WJLP). From most of New York an indoor antenna by a window often works; go to the attic or roof if you're in a basement, behind a hill or want the VHF stations.
Which way should I point my antenna in New York?
Most of New York's towers are close to the city — 2 miles south-southwest of downtown — so in town, height and a clear window matter more than aim; farther out, point south-southwest. Exceptions: WNJN (29 miles west-southwest), WNJB (29 miles west-southwest), WFTY-DT (54 miles east), WEDW (55 miles northeast).
Why can't my antenna get WJLP (MeTV 33) or WABC-TV (ABC 7)?
WJLP (MeTV 33), WABC-TV (ABC 7), WPIX (CW 11), WNET (PBS 13), WNJN (PBS 50) and WNJB (PBS 58) broadcast on VHF (real channels 3, 7, 11, 12, 8 and 8), even though your TV shows a different channel number. Many flat and "HD" indoor antennas are designed mainly for UHF and pick up VHF poorly. An antenna with longer VHF elements, mounted higher, usually fixes it.
Do I need a new antenna for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in New York?
No. NextGen TV uses the same channels, so any antenna that gets your stations today will get their NextGen TV versions. What you need is a TV or converter box with a 3.0 tuner. In New York, the NextGen TV signals come from WPIX and WLIW's transmitters.
Check your exact address
Distances don’t account for hills or buildings. For a signal prediction at your address, try the FCC’s DTV reception maps or the RabbitEars signal search.
New York: NextGen TV status and shutoff timeline →
Tower locations: FCC Licensing and Management System (each station’s latest filing). Zip and city locations: USPS zip code centroids. Distances are straight-line from the center of New York.