WGTU (ABC) · Channel 29
Full power TV station · Traverse City, Michigan
WGTU is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with ABC on virtual channel 29, licensed to Traverse City, Michigan. Its signal is estimated to reach about 36 cities and towns within 65 miles.
About WGTU
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 178.1 kW effective radiated power, WGTU runs more power than 44% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 393 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 55% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 58 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 65 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 36 cities and towns in our guide with about 96,700 residents.
WGTU shares its transmitter site with WCMV and WPBN-TV (ABC). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other ABC station in our data is WPBN-TV in Traverse City, MI, 0.0 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
ABC is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local ABC affiliates carry the national morning, evening news and primetime schedule alongside their own local newscasts, and the network carries major sports such as NBA games.
Station facts
| Network | ABC |
| Virtual channel | 29 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Traverse City, MI |
| Tower location | 44.74806, -85.06889 |
| Effective radiated power | 178.1 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 393 m (1,289 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 59280 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WGTU
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska, MI | 5.3 mi | 80° E | Strong |
| Mancelona, MI | 11 mi | 182° S | Strong |
| Rapid City, MI | 12 mi | 120° ESE | Good |
| Bellaire, MI | 17 mi | 156° SSE | Good |
| Grayling, MI | 18 mi | 289° WNW | Good |
| Elk Rapids, MI | 20 mi | 121° ESE | Good |
| Kingsley, MI | 26 mi | 64° ENE | Good |
| Traverse City, MI | 27 mi | 92° E | Good |
| Gaylord, MI | 27 mi | 225° SW | Good |
| Greilickville, MI | 28 mi | 95° E | Good |
| Manton, MI | 28 mi | 35° NE | Good |
| East Jordan, MI | 28 mi | 175° S | Good |
| Roscommon, MI | 29 mi | 307° NW | Good |
| Lake City, MI | 29 mi | 14° NNE | Good |
| Boyne City, MI | 32 mi | 185° S | Good |
| Houghton Lake, MI | 33 mi | 334° NNW | Good |
| Prudenville, MI | 37 mi | 327° NNW | Good |
| Cadillac, MI | 38 mi | 25° NNE | Good |
| Lewiston, MI | 39 mi | 256° WSW | Good |
| Leland, MI | 39 mi | 119° ESE | Good |
| Charlevoix, MI | 40 mi | 167° SSE | Good |
| Saint Helen, MI | 42 mi | 310° NW | Good |
| Bay Harbor, MI | 43 mi | 179° S | Good |
| Petoskey, MI | 44 mi | 187° S | Good |
| Mio, MI | 47 mi | 278° W | Fair |
| Harbor Springs, MI | 47 mi | 185° S | Fair |
| Atlanta, MI | 49 mi | 249° WSW | Fair |
| Beulah, MI | 51 mi | 81° E | Fair |
| Indian River, MI | 51 mi | 206° SSW | Fair |
| Harrison, MI | 52 mi | 345° NNW | Fair |
| West Branch, MI | 52 mi | 309° NW | Fair |
| Frankfort, MI | 58 mi | 82° E | Fair |
| Evart, MI | 59 mi | 9° N | Fair |
| Gladwin, MI | 60 mi | 332° NNW | Fair |
| Reed City, MI | 64 mi | 20° NNE | Fair |
| Skidway Lake, MI | 64 mi | 308° NW | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WGTU transmitter tower?
WGTU broadcasts from a tower at 44.7481, -85.0689, near Kalkaska, MI. It is licensed to Traverse City, Michigan.
What channel is WGTU on?
WGTU appears as virtual channel 29 (29.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying ABC.
How far does WGTU broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 65 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 74 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WGTU with an antenna?
About 96,700 people live in the 36 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WGTU?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WGTU tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.