Skip to main content
Filer image

We understand the importance of our role as a trusted statewide, University-licensed public media organization; and we are dedicated to amplifying voices that reflect the experiences of all people across our state and that uphold our Mission and Values. Our Bozeman and Missoula offices are located on the original homelands of Indigenous peoples, and we acknowledge this rich history. Read more.

Montana PBS Channels Available:

  • Montana PBS - Montana's most widely available public television programming available with PBS national and local programming. High Definition programming available.
  • Montana PBS Kids - Educational programming geared to kids and to parents with kids.
  • Montana PBS Create - Public Television's top shows in Cooking, Arts, and Crafts.
  • Montana PBS World - Unexpected stories: video, audio, documentaries, commentary, public TV, etc.
  • Montana State Capitol Coverage - Montana Public Affairs Network (MPAN) is a state government broadcasting service that provides unedited, gavel-to-gavel coverage of Montana's legislative proceedings.

Tools to Help with Receiving Montana PBS Channels:

  • TV Fool - Free website tool for checking your location for free OTA (Over the Air) TV.
    Main TV Fool Website. Use TV Fool to interactively find what TV signals are available for your location.
  • Free Over the Air Satellite - If you have a large satellite dish and a DVB-S2 tuner, you can get Montana PBS.
    • Satellite: Galaxy 16, Ku Band (99 deg W)
    • Encoding: DVB-S2 8PSK
    • Polarity: Horizontal
    • Downlink Frequency: 11806.5 MHz
    • Symbol Rate: 2.390 MS/s
    • Forward Error Correction (FEC): 2/3
    • Information on Free TV from Satellite

Free Over-the-Air Broadcast

  • Montana PBS broadcasts up to five digital TV channels for viewers with an antenna connected to a digital-ready television. Refer to the solid and dotted green circles on the coverage map to determine if a local Montana PBS broadcast signal may be available in your community. Montana’s rugged terrain, with mountains and valleys, can make for challenging TV reception. A clear line of sight from your home to the local TV transmission tower is generally required for a TV signal to be viewable. In some instances, VHF signals will pass over terrain even if you can’t see the broadcast tower and if you install a large or amplified antenna. UHF channels require line-of-sight over terrain, but are better at passing through buildings in more urbanized areas. In many Montana communities, you will find both VHF and UHF channels.To learn more about the local TV signals in your community, visit the TV Fool website, which includes an Interactive TV Coverage Browser into which you can enter your physical address to determine the broadcast coverage at your home and the antenna installation necessary to a receive a signal. In general, viewers should select an antenna that will receive both VHF and UHF signals. An indoor or outdoor antenna may be used, depending on the distance to the local transmission tower and the local topography. Please contact us if you would like specific recommendations about antennas that may work best for your home.
  • Each viewer’s unique location will dictate the type of antenna (indoor vs. outdoor), the size of antenna, omni or directional, and any signal amplification necessary to receive a good picture. AntennaWeb is online resource that can help you identify the right antenna for your area. Antennas should be placed in the highest location possible in or on your home. An attic space can often work well. If it is a directional antenna, aim it towards the local TV transmission tower.There are many TV antenna manufacturers, and you can find their products in local hardware, electronics and big box stores. AntennaWeb also has a list, with links, of antennas you can order online. It may take some experimentation, including rescans on your TV, to determine the ideal configuration to receive all local channels. Remember that outdoor antennas must be kept away from power lines and should be grounded in the event of lighting.

Recent Signal Changes and/or Known Issues

Bozeman and Gallatin Valley

  • In May 2020, KUSM-TV/Montana PBS relocated our local 9.1 – 9.5 channels to a new transmission site west of Bozeman, along with all other commercial TV broadcasters. The new transmitter located on High Flat, southwest of Four Corners. Gallatin Valley viewers should aim their TV antennas Four Corners.
  • Some TV viewers on the east side of the Gallatin Valley and in certain Bozeman neighborhoods have found that their existing indoor or small antennas no longer receive local TV channels, even after reorienting towards Four Corners. These viewers will need to upgrade their antenna installation, which may include one or more of the following: moving an existing antenna to a higher location, purchasing a larger and/or amplified antenna, or possibly installing an outdoor antenna. Please see the Free Over-the-Air Broadcast summary above to learn more about the online resources that are available to assist you in the best antenna solution for your specific location. In addition to the new high power VHF transmitter near Four Corners, Montana PBS operates a UHF translator on the same site, channel 17, which might work better for some viewers, depending on your location.
  • When you scan for channels on your TV, you may pick up both our VHF channel 8 (virtual 9.1-9.5) and our UHF channel 17 (virtual 9.1-9.5). In this case, you should be able to select the strongest signal for your location and ‘hide’ the duplicate channels. Remember that every time you adjust your antenna it will be necessary to perform the rescan function on your TV to discover all local channels.