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What channel is PBS on antenna in El Paso (Las Cruces)?

PBS is channel 13.1 (KCOS).

It broadcasts on RF 13 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.

Our terrain predictions put PBS on KCOS within antenna reach of about 92% of people in the El Paso (Las Cruces) market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 0% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.

Updated from FCC data

Lost PBS? Rescan your TV first

Most missing channels come back after a Rescan Asking your TV to search for channels again. Fixes most missing channels. More in the glossary . If PBS still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the KCOS tower and handle VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary .

Where PBS 13.1 comes from

  • Works on any digital TV

    KCOS RF 13 · VHF

    KCOS's own transmitter.

Which way to point for PBS around El Paso (Las Cruces)

Aim at the KCOS tower . It stands apart from the main tower site, so it may need its own aim.

FromPointDistance
Las Cruces, NM south-southeast (154°) 41 mi
Socorro, TX northwest (308°) 17 mi
Alamogordo, NM south-southwest (202°) 82 mi
Sunland Park, NM east-southeast (109°) 7 mi
Get the exact direction for your address

The antenna you need for PBS in El Paso (Las Cruces)

PBS reaches ordinary TVs on VHF, so choose an antenna rated for VHF as well as UHF; many flat indoor antennas are weak on VHF. Close to the towers an indoor antenna by a window often works; farther out, height matters most: attic beats window, roof beats attic.

The best antenna for all of El Paso (Las Cruces) · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary

If 13.1 doesn't come in

PBS is also on:

Other networks in El Paso (Las Cruces)

All 40 antenna channels in El Paso (Las Cruces)

Questions about PBS in El Paso (Las Cruces)

What channel is PBS on antenna in El Paso (Las Cruces)?
PBS is channel 13.1 (KCOS) in El Paso (Las Cruces). It broadcasts on RF 13 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Why did PBS 13.1 disappear from my TV?
Run a channel rescan first. If it is still missing, check that your antenna points toward the KCOS tower and that it handles VHF.
What antenna do I need for PBS in El Paso (Las Cruces)?
An antenna rated for VHF as well as UHF, aimed at the KCOS tower. Height matters more than brand: indoor close in, attic or roof farther out.

Where this comes from

  • Stations, towers, channels and power: FCC Licensing and Management System (LMS) public database, data of .
  • Networks and subchannels: our affiliations dataset, built from Wikipedia (used under CC BY-SA 4.0), the network field stations file with the FCC, and station websites; checked . Credits.
  • Towns and distances: US Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 city population estimates (SUB-EST2025) and 2026 Gazetteer place coordinates; distances are straight-line from each town's Census centre point.
  • Market area: Market area: counties assigned by FCC service-contour coverage of each market's full-power stations (FCC LMS market list, Census 2020).

Updated How we work this out