WIFS (ION) · Channel 57
Full power TV station · Janesville, Wisconsin
WIFS is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with ION on virtual channel 57, licensed to Janesville, Wisconsin. Its signal is estimated to reach about 171 cities and towns within 69 miles.
About WIFS
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 175 kW effective radiated power, WIFS runs more power than 44% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 454 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 65% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 62 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 69 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 171 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,410,000 residents, as far as Waukesha, WI (66 miles).
WIFS shares its transmitter site with WHA-TV, WMSN-TV (Fox), WKOW (ABC) and WISC-TV (CBS). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other ION station in our data is WPXE-TV in Kenosha, WI, 83 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
ION Television is a commercial network built around crime and procedural drama series, with some live sports. It is carried free over the air in most large markets.
Station facts
| Network | ION |
| Virtual channel | 57 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Janesville, WI |
| Tower location | 43.05583, -89.53500 |
| Effective radiated power | 175 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 454 m (1,490 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 26025 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WIFS
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middleton, WI | 3.3 mi | 208° SSW | Strong |
| Verona, WI | 4.5 mi | 359° N | Strong |
| Madison, WI | 6.9 mi | 260° W | Strong |
| Fitchburg, WI | 7.3 mi | 333° NNW | Strong |
| Monona, WI | 10 mi | 268° W | Strong |
| Waunakee, WI | 10 mi | 203° SSW | Strong |
| Oregon, WI | 12 mi | 320° NW | Good |
| McFarland, WI | 13 mi | 284° WNW | Good |
| De Forest, WI | 16 mi | 216° SW | Good |
| Sun Prairie, WI | 18 mi | 242° WSW | Good |
| Stoughton, WI | 19 mi | 301° WNW | Good |
| Baraboo, WI | 31 mi | 160° SSE | Good |
| Monroe, WI | 32 mi | 9° N | Good |
| Portage, WI | 34 mi | 186° S | Good |
| Fort Atkinson, WI | 36 mi | 284° WNW | Good |
| Janesville, WI | 37 mi | 315° NW | Good |
| Jefferson, WI | 37 mi | 276° W | Good |
| Reedsburg, WI | 40 mi | 144° SE | Good |
| Watertown, WI | 42 mi | 257° WSW | Good |
| Whitewater, WI | 43 mi | 291° WNW | Good |
| Beaver Dam, WI | 45 mi | 232° SW | Fair |
| Beloit, WI | 46 mi | 326° NW | Fair |
| Roscoe, IL | 52 mi | 329° NNW | Fair |
| Oconomowoc, WI | 52 mi | 266° W | Fair |
| Freeport, IL | 53 mi | 5° N | Fair |
| Platteville, WI | 53 mi | 65° ENE | Fair |
| Delavan, WI | 54 mi | 303° WNW | Fair |
| Machesney Park, IL | 55 mi | 333° NNW | Fair |
| Loves Park, IL | 56 mi | 335° NNW | Fair |
| Elkhorn, WI | 57 mi | 298° WNW | Fair |
| Waupun, WI | 57 mi | 226° SW | Fair |
| Rockford, IL | 59 mi | 338° NNW | Fair |
| Hartland, WI | 60 mi | 267° W | Fair |
| Hartford, WI | 61 mi | 253° WSW | Fair |
| Harvard, IL | 64 mi | 313° NW | Fair |
| Pewaukee, WI | 64 mi | 269° W | Fair |
| Lake Geneva, WI | 64 mi | 300° WNW | Fair |
| Belvidere, IL | 65 mi | 328° NNW | Fair |
| Waukesha, WI | 66 mi | 273° W | Fair |
| Sussex, WI | 66 mi | 266° W | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WIFS transmitter tower?
WIFS broadcasts from a tower at 43.0558, -89.5350, near Middleton, WI. It is licensed to Janesville, Wisconsin.
What channel is WIFS on?
WIFS appears as virtual channel 57 (57.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying ION.
How far does WIFS broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 69 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 77 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WIFS with an antenna?
About 1,410,000 people live in the 171 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WIFS?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WIFS tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.