What channel is PBS on antenna in New York?
PBS is channel 13.1 (WNET).
It broadcasts on RF 12 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put PBS on WNET within antenna reach of about 92% of people in the New York 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 WNET 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
WNET RF 12 · VHF
WNET's own transmitter.
Which way to point for PBS around New York
Aim at the WNET tower , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Newark, NJ | east (95°) | 8 mi |
| Jersey City, NJ | east (88°) | 3 mi |
| Yonkers, NY | south-southwest (205°) | 18 mi |
| Bridgeport, CT | southwest (233°) | 54 mi |
| Trenton, NJ | northeast (49°) | 52 mi |
| Hempstead, NY | west (272°) | 21 mi |
| Long Branch, NJ | north (358°) | 29 mi |
The antenna you need for PBS in New York
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 New York · 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:
More free channels from WNET
- 13.2 PBS Kids
- 13.3 World
Other networks in New York
Questions about PBS in New York
What channel is PBS on antenna in New York?
Why did PBS 13.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for PBS in New York?
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