TV reception in Darwin
Free-to-air TV in Darwin comes from the Darwin main transmitter at Shoal Bay, 21 km to the E (bearing 96°). It broadcasts on UHF (channels 28–51) channels 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, horizontally polarised.
A medium-gain UHF antenna pointed E and mounted horizontally (elements flat) gives reliable reception for most homes.
Pockets of Darwin shadowed from Darwin can use the Darwin City translator (8.4 km SE, UHF channels 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, V polarisation), which needs a UHF antenna pointed the other way, a common cause of "wrong antenna" reception faults after DIY installs.
Channels from Darwin
| Channel | Service | Frequency (MHz) | Band | Polarisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | SBS29 | 536.625 | UHF | Horizontal |
| 30 | ABC30 | 543.625 | UHF | Horizontal |
| 31 | NTD31 | 550.625 | UHF | Horizontal |
| 32 | TND32 | 557.625 | UHF | Horizontal |
| 33 | DTD33 | 564.625 | UHF | Horizontal |
Transmitter data © Commonwealth of Australia (ACMA), CC BY 4.0. Predicted reception; terrain and local obstructions vary.
TV channels and frequencies in Darwin
Darwin is served by the Shoal Bay transmitter, 21 km E (bearing 96° true). It carries the multiplexes below, so a UHF-only antenna is required. Data updated 13 July 2026 (ACMA).
| Network | RF channel | Centre frequency | Band | Polarisation | Channels (LCN) | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBSSBS29 | 29 | 536.625 MHz | UHF | Horizontal |
| - |
| ABCABC30 | 30 | 543.625 MHz | UHF | Horizontal |
| - |
| Nine DarwinNTD31 | 31 | 550.625 MHz | UHF | Horizontal |
| |
| 7 DarwinTND32 | 32 | 557.625 MHz | UHF | Horizontal |
| |
| 10 DarwinDTD33 | 33 | 564.625 MHz | UHF | Horizontal |
|
Retune guide for your TV: Samsung · LG · Sony · Hisense · TCL · Panasonic · all brands
See the full Shoal Bay transmitter page, or look up channels and frequencies for another suburb.
Source: ACMA licensed broadcasting transmitter data (© Commonwealth of Australia, Creative Commons Attribution licence). Logical channel numbers maintained by site. Report an error
Pointing your antenna in Darwin
- Point towards
- 96° true (94° magnetic)
- East
- Use the magnetic figure with a compass or phone.
- Distance
- 21 km
- to Shoal Bay
- Line of sight
- Clear
- antenna 6 m above ground
From the centre of Darwin the path to Shoal Bay is clear.
Antenna elements: horizontal.
- Darwin, 8.4 km at 140°, has a clear path from here.
The path check uses bare ground at about 30 m resolution. Buildings and trees are not included. See the antenna direction tool to check another address or antenna height, or how to read these results.
Elevation: AWS Open Data Terrain Tiles. Australia terrain data © Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2017. Transmitter positions and antenna heights: ACMA licensed broadcasting transmitter data (© Commonwealth of Australia, Creative Commons Attribution licence). Magnetic declination from WMM2025. Report an error
TV Antenna Services in Darwin, Northern Territory
Looking for reliable TV antenna installation or repair in Darwin? Our trusted and reliable technicians provide professional TV antenna services throughout Darwin and surrounding suburbs.
Whether you need a new digital TV antenna installed, an existing antenna repaired, or a TV signal booster to improve your reception, we've got you covered. We understand the unique signal conditions in the Darwin area and recommend the best solutions for your location.
We offer same-day service in Darwin where available and provide upfront, transparent pricing with no hidden fees. You can take comfort knowing that we have been performing TV antenna installation services since 1981, and have some of the best TV antenna technicians in Australia.
Our Services in Darwin
- Antenna installation
- Antenna repair
- Antenna system servicing
- TV antenna amplifiers
- New TV points
- TV tuning
- MATV installation & maintenance
5-Day Weather Forecast for Darwin
Once you have made a booking, please be aware that due to health and safety obligations, our scheduled works may be impacted by adverse weather conditions on the day of installation. Check your weather forecast for Darwin above.