ABC

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.

Aim your antenna at WGTU

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

NetworkABC
Virtual channel29
Station typeFull power (DTV)
City of licenseTraverse City, MI
Tower location44.74806, -85.06889
Effective radiated power178.1 kW
Antenna height (HAAT)393 m (1,289 ft)
FCC facility ID59280
License statusLicensed

Cities that can receive WGTU

Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.

CityDistancePoint antennaEst. signal
Kalkaska, MI5.3 mi80° EStrong
Mancelona, MI11 mi182° SStrong
Rapid City, MI12 mi120° ESEGood
Bellaire, MI17 mi156° SSEGood
Grayling, MI18 mi289° WNWGood
Elk Rapids, MI20 mi121° ESEGood
Kingsley, MI26 mi64° ENEGood
Traverse City, MI27 mi92° EGood
Gaylord, MI27 mi225° SWGood
Greilickville, MI28 mi95° EGood
Manton, MI28 mi35° NEGood
East Jordan, MI28 mi175° SGood
Roscommon, MI29 mi307° NWGood
Lake City, MI29 mi14° NNEGood
Boyne City, MI32 mi185° SGood
Houghton Lake, MI33 mi334° NNWGood
Prudenville, MI37 mi327° NNWGood
Cadillac, MI38 mi25° NNEGood
Lewiston, MI39 mi256° WSWGood
Leland, MI39 mi119° ESEGood
Charlevoix, MI40 mi167° SSEGood
Saint Helen, MI42 mi310° NWGood
Bay Harbor, MI43 mi179° SGood
Petoskey, MI44 mi187° SGood
Mio, MI47 mi278° WFair
Harbor Springs, MI47 mi185° SFair
Atlanta, MI49 mi249° WSWFair
Beulah, MI51 mi81° EFair
Indian River, MI51 mi206° SSWFair
Harrison, MI52 mi345° NNWFair
West Branch, MI52 mi309° NWFair
Frankfort, MI58 mi82° EFair
Evart, MI59 mi9° NFair
Gladwin, MI60 mi332° NNWFair
Reed City, MI64 mi20° NNEFair
Skidway Lake, MI64 mi308° NWFair

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.