WNEM-TV (CBS) · Channel 5
Full power TV station · Bay City, Michigan
WNEM-TV is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 5, licensed to Bay City, Michigan. Its signal is estimated to reach about 104 cities and towns within 63 miles.
About WNEM-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 585 kW effective radiated power, WNEM-TV runs more power than 65% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 303 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 29% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 52 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 63 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 104 cities and towns in our guide with about 924,000 residents, as far as Lansing, MI (62 miles).
The nearest other CBS station in our data is WLNS-TV in Lansing, MI, 60 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
| Network | CBS |
| Virtual channel | 5 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Bay City, MI |
| Tower location | 43.47056, -83.84333 |
| Effective radiated power | 585 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 303 m (994 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 41221 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WNEM-TV
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrollton, MI | 4.4 mi | 79° E | Strong |
| Buena Vista, MI | 4.4 mi | 39° NE | Strong |
| Saginaw, MI | 6.4 mi | 57° ENE | Strong |
| Bridgeport, MI | 7.9 mi | 14° NNE | Strong |
| Saginaw Township North, MI | 8.2 mi | 85° E | Strong |
| Bay City, MI | 8.9 mi | 165° SSE | Strong |
| Frankenmuth, MI | 11 mi | 331° NNW | Strong |
| Shields, MI | 11 mi | 70° ENE | Strong |
| Freeland, MI | 15 mi | 105° ESE | Strong |
| Caro, MI | 22 mi | 267° W | Good |
| Midland, MI | 23 mi | 116° ESE | Good |
| Beecher, MI | 27 mi | 344° NNW | Good |
| Flushing, MI | 28 mi | 1° N | Good |
| New Haven, MI | 30 mi | 31° NNE | Good |
| Flint, MI | 33 mi | 346° NNW | Good |
| Davison, MI | 34 mi | 332° NNW | Good |
| Burton, MI | 34 mi | 341° NNW | Good |
| Swartz Creek, MI | 35 mi | 359° N | Good |
| Owosso, MI | 37 mi | 27° NNE | Good |
| Saint Louis, MI | 39 mi | 83° E | Good |
| Grand Blanc, MI | 39 mi | 344° NNW | Good |
| Lapeer, MI | 39 mi | 318° NW | Good |
| Alma, MI | 41 mi | 81° E | Good |
| Lake Fenton, MI | 44 mi | 351° N | Good |
| Linden, MI | 45 mi | 356° N | Good |
| Fenton, MI | 47 mi | 352° N | Good |
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 47 mi | 100° E | Good |
| Holly, MI | 48 mi | 347° NNW | Good |
| Saint Johns, MI | 48 mi | 48° NE | Good |
| DeWitt, MI | 57 mi | 40° NE | Fair |
| Haslett, MI | 57 mi | 29° NNE | Fair |
| Waterford, MI | 58 mi | 338° NNW | Fair |
| Williamston, MI | 58 mi | 22° NNE | Fair |
| Okemos, MI | 60 mi | 29° NNE | Fair |
| Howell, MI | 60 mi | 4° N | Fair |
| East Lansing, MI | 60 mi | 32° NNE | Fair |
| Milford, MI | 62 mi | 349° NNW | Fair |
| Auburn Hills, MI | 62 mi | 331° NNW | Fair |
| Romeo, MI | 62 mi | 318° NW | Fair |
| Lansing, MI | 62 mi | 35° NE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WNEM-TV transmitter tower?
WNEM-TV broadcasts from a tower at 43.4706, -83.8433, near Zilwaukee, MI. It is licensed to Bay City, Michigan.
What channel is WNEM-TV on?
WNEM-TV appears as virtual channel 5 (5.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does WNEM-TV broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 63 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 72 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WNEM-TV with an antenna?
About 924,000 people live in the 104 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WNEM-TV?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WNEM-TV tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.