Best TV antenna for Sacramento, CA
Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto TV market · 16 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 KEDS).
- Most towers are 23 miles south of Sacramento; aim south. Exceptions: KEDS (48 miles north-northwest), KUVS-DT (50 miles southeast).
- About 23 miles from downtown, an attic or outdoor antenna is usually needed for every station; indoor antennas work only with a clear view toward the towers.
- Nothing special is needed for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0): the same antenna works.
Measured from central Sacramento. 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 Sacramento’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 Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| KBTV-CD (SONLIFE 8) | 27 · UHF | 2 miles west-southwest |
| KEZT-CD (Univision 23) | 34 · UHF | 2 miles west-southwest |
| KKPM-CD (28) | 28 · UHF | 5 miles north-northwest |
| KMUM-CD (Telemundo 33) | 19 · UHF | 9 miles north-northwest |
| K20JX-D (27) | 20 · UHF | 19 miles north-northeast |
| KVIE (PBS 6) | 9 · VHF-high | 21 miles south |
| KTXL (FOX 40) | 22 · UHF | 21 miles south |
| KCRA-TV (NBC 3) | 35 · UHF | 22 miles south |
| KQCA (CW 58) NextGen TV only | 23 · UHF | 22 miles south |
| KSPX-TV (ION 29) | 21 · UHF | 23 miles south |
| KXTV (ABC 10) | 10 · VHF-high | 23 miles south |
| KOVR (CBS 13) | 25 · UHF | 23 miles south |
| KMAX-TV (31) | 24 · UHF | 23 miles south |
| KTFK-DT (UniMás 64) | 26 · UHF | 23 miles south |
| KEDS (16) | 2 · VHF-low | 48 miles north-northwest |
| KUVS-DT (Univision 19) | 18 · UHF | 50 miles southeast |
Also in the Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto market but more than 70 miles from Sacramento: KBSV (74 miles south).
The VHF stations to plan for
KEDS (16) broadcasts on VHF-low (real channel 2). 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.
KVIE (PBS 6) and KXTV (ABC 10) broadcast on VHF-high (real channels 9 and 10). 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 Sacramento?
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 KEDS). About 23 miles from downtown, an attic or outdoor antenna is usually needed for every station; indoor antennas work only with a clear view toward the towers.
Which way should I point my antenna in Sacramento?
Most towers are 23 miles south of Sacramento; aim south. Exceptions: KEDS (48 miles north-northwest), KUVS-DT (50 miles southeast).
Why can't my antenna get KEDS (16) or KVIE (PBS 6)?
KEDS (16), KVIE (PBS 6) and KXTV (ABC 10) broadcast on VHF (real channels 2, 9 and 10), 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento, the NextGen TV signals come from KQCA's transmitter.
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.
Sacramnto-Stkton-Modesto: 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 Sacramento.