You’ve got a story. Maybe it’s a water main break turning your street into a lake, or perhaps you’ve finally had it with a local business scamming seniors. You need the channel 13 news phone number, but here is the thing: "Channel 13" isn’t one single place.
If you call the station in Houston looking for a reporter in Tampa, you’re going to get a very polite, very confused receptionist.
Television markets are hyper-local. In the industry, we call these DMAs (Designated Market Areas). Because "13" is a lucky number for broadcast frequencies, there are dozens of different "Channel 13" stations scattered across the United States. Finding the right digits depends entirely on where you’re standing.
Why the Channel 13 News Phone Number Varies by City
Most people don't realize that your local "13" could be an ABC affiliate, a CBS station, a Fox station, or even a PBS member. Each one operates independently. They have their own assignment desks, their own "Call for Action" teams, and their own investigative units.
If you’re in Houston, you’re likely looking for KTRK.
In Las Vegas, it’s KTNV.
Over in Tampa, you’re actually looking for WTVT (which is a Fox affiliate).
Honestly, the "assignment desk" is where the magic happens. This is the nerve center of any newsroom. When you call the channel 13 news phone number, you’re usually trying to reach the person sitting at that desk. They are the gatekeepers. They decide if your tip becomes the lead story at 6:00 PM or ends up in the "maybe later" pile.
Direct Contact List for Major Channel 13 Stations
I’ve spent time digging through the FCC public files and station directories to save you the headache. Here are the most searched-for contact details for the big ones.
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KTRK-TV ABC 13 – Houston, Texas
Houstonians know this station as "ABC13 Eyewitness News." If you want to get a tip to their desk, you have a few options.
- Main Switchboard: 713-666-0713
- Newsroom/Tips: 713-663-4560
- Closed Captioning Issues: 713-663-4652
WTVT FOX 13 – Tampa Bay, Florida
This station is a powerhouse in Central Florida. They are famously "on your side," and they actually have a dedicated line just for viewer comments.
- Main Switchboard: 813-876-1313
- News Tip Line: 813-870-9630
- Viewer Comment Line: 813-870-7111
KTNV Channel 13 – Las Vegas, Nevada
In Vegas, 13 Action News is the go-to for investigative "13 Investigates" pieces. If you have a consumer complaint, they have a specific "Call for Action" line.
- Main Number: 702-876-1313
- 13 Investigates / Call For Action: 702-368-2255 (Note: They usually take calls here between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT).
WTHR Channel 13 – Indianapolis, Indiana
WTHR is widely respected for its long-form investigative work in the Midwest.
- Main Station Line: 317-636-1313
- Newsroom Fax: 317-655-5984
WNET THIRTEEN – New York City
Wait! This is important. In NYC, Channel 13 is the flagship PBS station. They don't have a "breaking news" desk in the same way a local Fox or ABC affiliate does. They focus on documentaries and public programming.
- General Inquiries: 212-560-1313
- Corporate Offices: 212-560-2000
How to Actually Get a Reporter to Call You Back
Just having the channel 13 news phone number isn't enough. I’ve seen people call 50 times and never get a callback. Why? Because newsrooms are chaotic. Imagine a room with 40 TVs on, scanners screaming, and reporters running for the door because of a three-alarm fire.
If you want to be heard, you have to be brief.
Kinda like a "30-second elevator pitch." If you can't explain why your story matters in two sentences, the assignment editor will move on. Basically, they want to know:
- What is the "visual"? (TV needs pictures. If there’s nothing to see, it’s a hard sell).
- Who is being affected? (One person is a tragedy; a whole neighborhood is a news story).
- Is there a paper trail? (Emails, photos, or police reports).
Don't be afraid to text. Many stations, like WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids (who you can reach at 616-559-1300), now prefer text messages for breaking news photos and videos. It’s faster for them to process than a phone call.
The "Call for Action" Secret
Many Channel 13 stations participate in a program called "Call for Action" or have a dedicated consumer investigative team. These are often staffed by volunteers or specialized producers who handle "the little guy" problems—think landlord disputes or insurance companies refusing to pay.
If you call the main channel 13 news phone number, ask specifically for the "Consumer Unit" or "Investigative Desk."
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They have more time to talk than the daily news desk. The daily desk is worried about what’s happening in the next hour. The investigative team is worried about what’s happening in the next month.
Technical Issues and Signal Complaints
Sometimes you aren't calling because you have a story. You're calling because the screen is frozen or the sound is out.
Every station is required by the FCC to provide a contact for "Closed Captioning" and "Signal Interference." If you look at the list above, you’ll notice many stations have a separate line for this. Use it. The people in the "Engineering" or "Technology" department are the ones who can actually fix a fuzzy picture, not the person reading the teleprompter.
What Really Happens When You Call
Most people think a reporter answers the phone. They don’t. Usually, it’s an intern or a junior desk assistant.
Don't be rude to them.
If you’re a jerk to the person answering the phone, your tip goes in the trash. It’s that simple. Be polite, give them your name, your location, and a clear way to reach you. If you have video, mention that immediately. In 2026, "viewer-generated content" is the lifeblood of local news. If you have clear, horizontal (please, not vertical!) video of a major event, you are much more likely to get a callback.
Actionable Steps for Contacting Your Local Station
First, double-check your city. If you aren't in Houston, Tampa, Las Vegas, or Indianapolis, do a quick search for "Channel 13 news [City Name] contact."
Second, prepare your materials. Have your photos or documents ready to email before you even pick up the phone.
Third, call during "off-peak" hours if it’s not breaking news. The hours between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM are usually the best. The morning show is over, and the afternoon planning meeting hasn't started yet.
Fourth, follow up via social media. Most Channel 13 stations have a very active "X" (formerly Twitter) or Facebook presence. Sending a Direct Message (DM) with the same info you gave over the phone creates a second touchpoint. It makes you harder to ignore.
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Lastly, if your story is about a crime, make sure you have a case number from the local police department. Stations rarely report on "he said, she said" without some kind of official record to back it up.
By using the right channel 13 news phone number and following these protocols, you significantly increase the chances of your story making it to the airwaves.