Antenna Channel Guide
Thornton, CO antenna channels
FCC station data as of November 6, 2026. Signal ratings are estimates without terrain.
| Channel | Network | Call sign | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | The CW | KWGN-TV | Strong |
| 3.1 | Independent / ABC | KCDO-TV | Moderate |
| 4.1 | CBS | KCNC-TV | Strong |
| 6.1 | PBS | KRMA-TV | Strong |
| 7.1 | ABC | KMGH-TV | Strong |
| 9.1 | NBC | KUSA | Strong |
| 10.1 | Independent / ABC | KSBS-CD | Strong |
| 12.1 | PBS | KBDI-TV | Moderate |
| 14.1 | Univision | KCEC | Strong |
| 20.1 | Independent / MyNetworkTV / NBC | KTVD | Strong |
| 25.1 | Telemundo / NBC | KDEN-TV | Strong |
| 31.1 | FOX | KDVR | Strong |
| 33.1 | Not listed | KQCK | Moderate |
| 38.1 | TBN | KPJR-TV | Strong |
| 41.1 | Daystar | KRMT | Strong |
| 50.1 | UniMás | KTFD-TV | Strong |
| 53.1 | Estrella TV | KETD | Strong |
| 59.1 | Ion | KPXC-TV | Strong |
| RF 4 | Not listed | KVAI-CD | Strong |
| RF 16 | Not listed | KQDK-CD | Strong |
| Low-power stations | |||
| 24.1 | Not listed | KHDT-LD | Strong |
| 30.1 | Not listed | K12XK-D | Strong |
| 35.1 | Not listed | KPDD-LD | Strong |
| RF 2 | Not listed | KBRO-LD | Strong |
| RF 5 | Not listed | K05MD-D | Moderate |
| RF 6 | Not listed | KXDP-LD | Strong |
| RF 14 | Not listed | KZDN-LD | Strong |
| RF 20 | Not listed | KDNF-LD | Strong |
| RF 21 | Not listed | KDEO-LD | Strong |
| RF 27 | Not listed | KAVC-LD | Strong |
| RF 30 | Not listed | KLPD-LD | Strong |
| RF 30 | ABC | KZCO-LD | Strong |
| Weak signals (may need an outdoor antenna) | |||
| 12.1 | PBS | K22NW-D | Weak |
| 22.1 | Not listed | KFCT | Weak |
| RF 16 | Not listed | KPXH-LD | Weak |
| RF 23 | Not listed | KDDI-LD | Weak |
| RF 24 | PBS | K24HQ-D | Weak |
| RF 24 | Not listed | KMLN-LD | Weak |
| RF 26 | Not listed | KZFC-LD | Weak |
Channel missing? Rescan your TV. Updated list: antennachannelguide.com/co/thornton/
Thornton, CO antenna channel guide
Thornton viewers can pick up 20 full-power and Class A stations with a multi-directional indoor antenna, plus their subchannels and 12 low-power stations. The main network towers sit in 2 directions: ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS and The CW are 20 to 23 miles southwest and NBC is about 12 miles north.
- Free channels
- 21
- Miles to main towers
- 23
- Aim direction
- SW
FCC data, Nov 6, 2026 · Signal tiers estimated without terrain
Check the signal where you are
Get the channels, antenna type and aim direction for your exact spot instead of the city center. Your browser will ask for your location. It's used only on this page to do the math, and this site never sends it anywhere or saves it.
Main networks in Thornton
All six main networks reach Thornton over the air. Tune to these channels after a scan.
Want these channels on a streaming service instead? See local channels without cable.
Lost a channel?
No network has changed stations in the Denver area in the past two years. If a channel goes missing, a rescan usually brings it back.
Rescan in 3 steps
- Open your TV's settings.
- Find the channel, broadcast or antenna section.
- Run "auto scan" or "channel scan" with the input set to Antenna or Air.
Menu names vary by brand: see antenna setup by TV brand and when and how to rescan.
Is the station hard to receive here?
KFCT (channel 22.1), K22NW-D (channel 12.1), K24HQ-D (RF channel 24), plus 4 more, are weak in Thornton; they may come and go. If a weak station is the one you're missing, these steps can help.
Still missing a channel? Our antenna troubleshooter walks through no channels, breakups, channels that come and go and NextGen channels that won't play, and can check any Thornton station for you.
Recommended for Thornton
A multi-directional indoor antenna fits Thornton
Antenna type: Multi-directional indoor, with VHF reception.
KMGH-TV (ABC, channel 7.1) broadcasts on VHF, so choose an antenna rated for VHF as well as UHF.
- ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS and The CW are all within 23 miles
- Main network towers are southwest and north of the city, so one fixed aim may miss some
Do you need an amplifier?
Try without an amplifier first. Add one only if channels break up. The farthest main network station, KRMA-TV, is 23 miles away.
Splitting the signal to more TVs weakens it at each one. One antenna, several TVs
Compare indoor, attic and outdoor antenna types. Older TV without a digital tuner? See converter boxes.
All stations
Station data from the FCC, as of
32 stations reach Thornton at a Strong or Moderate signal. Full-power and Class A stations are listed first, then low-power stations. 11 of them have no published channel number yet, so they show their RF channel; your TV may list them under a different number after a scan.
| Channel | Station | Network | Distance | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | KWGN-TV | The CW source | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 3.1 | KCDO-TV | Independent / ABC source | 54 mi E | Moderate |
| 4.1 | KCNC-TV | CBS source | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 6.1 | KRMA-TV | PBS source | 23 mi SW | Strong |
| 7.1 VHF | KMGH-TV | ABC source | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 9.1 VHF | KUSA | NBC source | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 10.1 | KSBS-CD | Independent / ABC source | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 12.1 VHF | KBDI-TV | PBS source | 34 mi WSW | Moderate |
| 14.1 | KCEC | Univision sourceEn español: 14.1 Univision | 23 mi SW | Strong |
| 20.1 | KTVD | Independent / MyNetworkTV / NBC source | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 25.1 | KDEN-TV | Telemundo / NBC sourceEn español: 25.1 Telemundo, 25.2 TeleXitos | 12 mi N | Strong |
| 31.1 | KDVR | FOX | 21 mi SW | Strong |
| 33.1 VHF | KQCK | Not listed | 45 mi NNW | Moderate |
| 38.1 | KPJR-TV | TBN source | 13 mi N | Strong |
| 41.1 | KRMT | Daystar source | 26 mi SSW | Strong |
| 50.1 | KTFD-TV | UniMás sourceEn español: 50.1 UniMás | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 53.1 | KETD | Estrella TV sourceEn español: 53.1 Estrella TV, 53.2 Estrella News | 23 mi SW | Strong |
| 59.1 | KPXC-TV | Ion source | 12 mi N | Strong |
| RF 4 Low VHF | KVAI-CD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| RF 16 | KQDK-CD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| Low-power stations (12) | ||||
| 24.1 VHF | KHDT-LD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| 30.1 VHF | K12XK-D | Not listed | 26 mi SSW | Strong |
| 35.1 Low VHF | KPDD-LD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| RF 2 Low VHF | KBRO-LD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| RF 5 Low VHF | K05MD-D | Not listed | 37 mi S | Moderate |
| RF 6 Low VHF | KXDP-LD | Not listed | 19 mi W | Strong |
| RF 14 | KZDN-LD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| RF 20 | KDNF-LD | Not listed | 26 mi SSW | Strong |
| RF 21 | KDEO-LD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| RF 27 | KAVC-LD | Not listed | 15 mi W | Strong |
| RF 30 | KLPD-LD | Not listed | 20 mi SW | Strong |
| RF 30 | KZCO-LD | ABC source | 20 mi SW | Strong |
Broadcasts on VHF (RF channels 2 to 13). Many flat indoor antennas pick up VHF poorly. RF channels 2 to 6 need a larger antenna. VHF antenna guide
Strong: inside the station's FCC coverage area, tower within 30 miles. Moderate: inside the coverage area, tower farther away. Weak: outside it, tower within 60 miles. How we rate signals
Network and subchannel details are adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. The "source" link in each row opens the station's article.
Weak signals: 7 more stations that may need an outdoor antenna
These towers are outside the FCC coverage area for Thornton but within 60 miles. Reception depends on terrain and antenna height.
| Channel | Station | Network | Distance | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.1 | K22NW-D Translator | PBS source | 15 mi W | Weak |
| 22.1 | KFCT | Not listed | 50 mi N | Weak |
| RF 16 | KPXH-LD | Not listed | 45 mi NNW | Weak |
| RF 23 | KDDI-LD | Not listed | 33 mi WSW | Weak |
| RF 24 | K24HQ-D Translator | PBS source | 15 mi W | Weak |
| RF 24 | KMLN-LD | Not listed | 42 mi NNW | Weak |
| RF 26 | KZFC-LD | Not listed | 37 mi N | Weak |
Extra channels you also get
Stations above also broadcast these 39 subchannels. They come free with the same antenna after a channel scan.
- 3.2Grit
- 4.2Start TV
- 4.3Dabl
- 4.5Catchy Comedy
- 4.6Story Television
- 7.2Ion Mystery
- 7.3Laff
- 9.2Cozi TV
- 9.3True Crime Network
- 9.5Quest
- 9.6The Nest
- 12.2PBS 12 Plus (4 a.m.–4 p.m.) FNX (4 p.m.–4 a.m.)
- 12.3Deutsche Welle (4:3)
- 12.4NHK World
- 14.2MovieSphere Gold
- 14.3Great (4:3)
- 14.4Infomercials
- 14.5Shop LC
- 20.2Heroes & Icons
- 20.3Shop LC
- 20.4Quest → Outlaw (soon)
- 25.2TeleXitos (4:3)
- 25.3Cozi TV
- 25.4NBC True CRMZ
- 25.5Oxygen (4:3)
- 25.6Nosey
- 50.2LATV
- 50.88AltaVision
- 53.2Estrella News
- 53.3Confess
- 53.4ShopHQ
- 53.5Buzzr
- 59.2Bounce TV
- 59.3Court TV
- 59.4Ion Plus
- 59.5Busted
- 59.6Defy
- 59.7Game Show Central
- 59.8MeTV Toons
Spanish-language channels in Thornton
Canales en español
6 Spanish-language channels reach Thornton at a Strong or Moderate signal. They come with the same antenna after a channel scan.
Where to point your antenna
Aim southwest (235°). Rings at 5, 10 and 30 miles from central Thornton; dots are Strong-signal towers.
- KMGH-TV, KCNC-TV, KWGN-TV and KDVR and 18 other stations: 20 to 26 miles southwest
- KDEN-TV and 2 other stations: 12 to 13 miles north
- KAVC-LD: 15 miles west
- KXDP-LD: 19 miles west
Placement and interference tips
- Place the antenna on a southwest-facing window or wall. Higher is better.
- LED bulbs, especially older or cheaper ones, can interfere. If reception gets worse when the lights are on, that's the cause.
- Living near a cell tower? An LTE filter can block the interference.
- Trees and hills block signals (Cord Cutters News covers these and the LED and cell tower problems), and so do metal roofs and foil radiant barriers in attics (Solid Signal). Move the antenna away from them if you can.
More: how to aim a TV antenna, how to boost your antenna signal, attic antennas. Renting or in an HOA? FCC rules protect your right to an antenna in areas you control. Camping nearby? See the RV antenna guide.
NextGen TV in Thornton
NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) is on the air in Thornton, broadcast from KHDT-LD and KWGN-TV. Any antenna receives it.
- Your current TV keeps working. Today's broadcasts continue alongside NextGen TV: full-power stations that switch must keep simulcasting their main channel in today's format (CommLawCenter).
- You need an ATSC 3.0 tuner to watch it. That means a TV or tuner box with one built in. Most TVs don't have one (PCWorld).
- Some channels are encrypted. Some broadcasters encrypt their NextGen TV channels, and some tuners and DVRs can't play encrypted channels yet. HDHomeRun devices are one example (Antenna Land). Check before you buy, especially a DVR.
- No shutoff date yet. Broadcasters have asked the FCC to end today's broadcasts in large markets around 2028 and everywhere around 2030. The FCC hasn't set a date (PCWorld).
Thornton antenna questions
What channel is CBS in Thornton?
CBS is channel 4.1 (KCNC-TV) on an antenna in Thornton. The tower is 20 miles southwest and the signal is rated Strong.
What channel is ABC in Thornton?
ABC is channel 7.1 (KMGH-TV) on an antenna in Thornton. The tower is 20 miles southwest and the signal is rated Strong.
What channels are NBC, FOX, PBS and The CW in Thornton?
NBC is 25.1 (KDEN-TV), FOX is 31.1 (KDVR), PBS is 6.1 (KRMA-TV) and The CW is 2.1 (KWGN-TV).
Which way should I point my antenna in Thornton?
Point it southwest (235 degrees). The main network towers sit in 2 directions: ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS and The CW are 20 to 23 miles southwest and NBC is about 12 miles north.
Do I need an outdoor antenna in Thornton?
Probably not. The main network towers are within 23 miles of central Thornton. Hills, tall buildings and thick walls can still block signals, so an attic or outdoor antenna helps if indoor reception breaks up.
Nearby cities
Other Denver-area cities with channel guides, nearest first.
Station and tower data: FCC, Nov 6, 2026. Network and subchannel data: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Signal tiers are estimates from FCC coverage areas and distance, without terrain modeling. How we estimate signals.