CBS

WKBT-DT (CBS) · Channel 8

Full power TV station · La Crosse, Wisconsin

WKBT-DT is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 8, licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Its signal is estimated to reach about 65 cities and towns within 64 miles.

Aim your antenna at WKBT-DT

About WKBT-DT

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 38.7 kW effective radiated power, WKBT-DT runs more power than 22% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW). Stations on VHF channels are licensed at much lower power than UHF stations to cover the same area, so a low figure does not always mean a weak signal.

Its antenna sits 465 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 67% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 63 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.

We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 64 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 65 cities and towns in our guide with about 530,000 residents, as far as Rochester, MN (56 miles).

The nearest other CBS station in our data is KIMT in Mason City, IA, 81 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.

CBS is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local CBS affiliates carry the network's news, daytime and primetime schedule plus local news, and CBS is the over-the-air home of many NFL Sunday afternoon games.

Station facts

NetworkCBS
Virtual channel8
Station typeFull power (DTV)
City of licenseLa Crosse, WI
Tower location44.09111, -91.33806
Effective radiated power38.7 kW
Antenna height (HAAT)465 m (1,525 ft)
FCC facility ID74424
License statusLicensed

Cities that can receive WKBT-DT

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

CityDistancePoint antennaEst. signal
Holmen, WI9.7 mi335° NNWGood
Brice Prairie, WI11 mi350° NGood
Arcadia, WI14 mi144° SEGood
Onalaska, WI15 mi340° NNWGood
Winona, MN15 mi79° EGood
French Island, WI17 mi347° NNWGood
North La Crosse, WI17 mi345° NNWGood
Goodview, MN18 mi84° EGood
La Crescent, MN18 mi355° NGood
West Salem, WI18 mi316° NWGood
La Crosse, WI21 mi346° NNWFair
Black River Falls, WI28 mi240° WSWFair
Sparta, WI28 mi291° WNWFair
Caledonia, MN33 mi14° NNEFair
Mondovi, WI37 mi153° SSEFair
Saint Charles, MN37 mi77° ENEFair
Westby, WI38 mi321° NWFair
Wabasha, MN40 mi120° ESEFair
Plainview, MN42 mi97° EFair
Tomah, WI42 mi281° WFair
Viroqua, WI43 mi329° NNWFair
Eyota, MN45 mi81° EFair
Chatfield, MN46 mi68° ENEFair
Durand, WI48 mi140° SEFair
Neillsville, WI49 mi229° SWFair
Altoona, WI50 mi174° SFair
Eau Claire, WI50 mi171° SFair
Lake City, MN52 mi118° ESEFair
Lake Hallie, WI54 mi175° SFair
Rochester, MN56 mi85° EFair
Waukon, IA57 mi7° NFair
Lake Wissota, WI58 mi182° SFair
Chippewa Falls, WI59 mi177° SFair
Decorah, IA59 mi22° NNEFair
Spring Valley, MN59 mi62° ENEFair
Stewartville, MN59 mi74° ENEFair
New Lisbon, WI60 mi285° WNWFair
Menomonie, WI61 mi152° SSEFair
Cresco, IA62 mi38° NEFair
Stanley, WI63 mi198° SSWFair

Other network stations nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is the WKBT-DT transmitter tower?

WKBT-DT broadcasts from a tower at 44.0911, -91.3381, near Galesville, WI. It is licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin.

What channel is WKBT-DT on?

WKBT-DT appears as virtual channel 8 (8.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.

How far does WKBT-DT broadcast?

With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 64 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 73 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.

How many people can watch WKBT-DT with an antenna?

About 530,000 people live in the 65 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.

Which way do I point my antenna for WKBT-DT?

Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WKBT-DT tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.