WBSF (CW) · Channel 46
Full power TV station · Bay City, Michigan
WBSF is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CW on virtual channel 46, licensed to Bay City, Michigan. Its signal is estimated to reach about 172 cities and towns within 67 miles.
About WBSF
Full-power stations are the main licensed broadcasters in a market. They may run the highest power from the tallest towers and are protected from interference, so they set the core of what you can receive.
At 600 kW effective radiated power, WBSF runs more power than 65% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 365 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 48% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 57 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 67 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 172 cities and towns in our guide with about 3,070,000 residents, as far as Inkster, MI (67 miles).
WBSF shares its transmitter site with WEYI-TV (NBC). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CW station in our data is WLAJ in Lansing, MI, 49 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
The CW is a commercial broadcast network carrying entertainment series and a growing slate of sports. In smaller markets it often runs as a subchannel of another station rather than its own transmitter.
Station facts
| Network | CW |
| Virtual channel | 46 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Bay City, MI |
| Tower location | 43.21694, -83.72139 |
| Effective radiated power | 600 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 365 m (1,198 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 82627 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WBSF
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flint, MI | 14 mi | 353° N | Strong |
| Burton, MI | 16 mi | 341° NNW | Strong |
| Saginaw, MI | 18 mi | 140° SE | Strong |
| Saginaw Township North, MI | 22 mi | 139° SE | Good |
| Bay City, MI | 27 mi | 162° SSE | Good |
| Midland, MI | 38 mi | 136° SE | Good |
| Waterford, MI | 39 mi | 337° NNW | Good |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 44 mi | 326° NW | Good |
| Pontiac, MI | 45 mi | 332° NNW | Good |
| West Bloomfield Township, MI | 48 mi | 339° NNW | Good |
| Rochester Hills, MI | 48 mi | 323° NW | Good |
| Okemos, MI | 49 mi | 46° NE | Good |
| East Lansing, MI | 51 mi | 49° NE | Good |
| Troy, MI | 51 mi | 326° NW | Good |
| Shelby, MI | 51 mi | 318° NW | Good |
| Novi, MI | 52 mi | 346° NNW | Good |
| Farmington Hills, MI | 53 mi | 341° NNW | Good |
| Lansing, MI | 54 mi | 51° NE | Good |
| Waverly, MI | 56 mi | 54° NE | Good |
| Sterling Heights, MI | 56 mi | 322° NW | Good |
| Holt, MI | 57 mi | 45° NE | Good |
| Southfield, MI | 57 mi | 334° NNW | Good |
| Royal Oak, MI | 58 mi | 330° NNW | Good |
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 59 mi | 116° ESE | Good |
| Oak Park, MI | 59 mi | 333° NNW | Fair |
| Madison Heights, MI | 59 mi | 328° NNW | Fair |
| Clinton Township, MI | 59 mi | 317° NW | Fair |
| Redford, MI | 61 mi | 340° NNW | Fair |
| Livonia, MI | 62 mi | 342° NNW | Fair |
| Warren, MI | 62 mi | 325° NW | Fair |
| Roseville, MI | 64 mi | 322° NW | Fair |
| Westland, MI | 64 mi | 345° NNW | Fair |
| Canton, MI | 64 mi | 349° N | Fair |
| Eastpointe, MI | 65 mi | 323° NW | Fair |
| Garden City, MI | 65 mi | 342° NNW | Fair |
| Dearborn Heights, MI | 65 mi | 340° NNW | Fair |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 65 mi | 1° N | Fair |
| Saint Clair Shores, MI | 65 mi | 320° NW | Fair |
| Hamtramck, MI | 66 mi | 329° NNW | Fair |
| Inkster, MI | 67 mi | 342° NNW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WBSF transmitter tower?
WBSF broadcasts from a tower at 43.2169, -83.7214, near Clio, MI. It is licensed to Bay City, Michigan.
What channel is WBSF on?
WBSF appears as virtual channel 46 (46.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CW.
How far does WBSF broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 67 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 76 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WBSF with an antenna?
About 3,070,000 people live in the 172 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WBSF?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WBSF tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.