WMSN-TV (Fox) · Channel 47
Full power TV station · Madison, Wisconsin
WMSN-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with Fox on virtual channel 47, licensed to Madison, Wisconsin. Its signal is estimated to reach about 189 cities and towns within 71 miles.
About WMSN-TV
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 440 kW effective radiated power, WMSN-TV runs more power than 58% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 450 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 64% 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 71 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 189 cities and towns in our guide with about 1,530,000 residents, as far as Dubuque, IA (69 miles).
WMSN-TV shares its transmitter site with WHA-TV, WIFS (ION), WKOW (ABC) and WISC-TV (CBS). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other Fox station in our data is WQRF-TV in Rockford, IL, 56 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
Fox is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks, known for its sports lineup including NFL, MLB and college football. Many Fox affiliates also produce local news.
Station facts
| Network | Fox |
| Virtual channel | 47 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Madison, WI |
| Tower location | 43.05583, -89.53500 |
| Effective radiated power | 440 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 450 m (1,476 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 10221 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WMSN-TV
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 |
| Waunakee, WI | 10 mi | 203° SSW | Strong |
| Oregon, WI | 12 mi | 320° NW | Strong |
| McFarland, WI | 13 mi | 284° WNW | Strong |
| De Forest, WI | 16 mi | 216° SW | Strong |
| 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 |
| 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 | Good |
| Beloit, WI | 46 mi | 326° NW | Good |
| Roscoe, IL | 52 mi | 329° NNW | Good |
| Oconomowoc, WI | 52 mi | 266° W | Good |
| Freeport, IL | 53 mi | 5° N | Good |
| Platteville, WI | 53 mi | 65° ENE | Good |
| Delavan, WI | 54 mi | 303° WNW | Good |
| Machesney Park, IL | 55 mi | 333° NNW | Good |
| Loves Park, IL | 56 mi | 335° NNW | Good |
| Elkhorn, WI | 57 mi | 298° WNW | Good |
| Waupun, WI | 57 mi | 226° SW | Good |
| Rockford, IL | 59 mi | 338° NNW | Good |
| Hartland, WI | 60 mi | 267° W | Good |
| Hartford, WI | 61 mi | 253° WSW | Good |
| Harvard, IL | 64 mi | 313° NW | Fair |
| Pewaukee, WI | 64 mi | 269° W | Fair |
| Belvidere, IL | 65 mi | 328° NNW | Fair |
| Waukesha, WI | 66 mi | 273° W | Fair |
| Sussex, WI | 66 mi | 266° W | Fair |
| Burlington, WI | 69 mi | 293° WNW | Fair |
| Dubuque, IA | 69 mi | 56° NE | Fair |
| Richfield, WI | 69 mi | 259° W | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WMSN-TV transmitter tower?
WMSN-TV broadcasts from a tower at 43.0558, -89.5350, near Middleton, WI. It is licensed to Madison, Wisconsin.
What channel is WMSN-TV on?
WMSN-TV appears as virtual channel 47 (47.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying Fox.
How far does WMSN-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 71 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 80 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WMSN-TV with an antenna?
About 1,530,000 people live in the 189 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WMSN-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WMSN-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.