WUCW (CW) · Channel 23
Full power TV station · Minneapolis, Minnesota
WUCW is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CW on virtual channel 23, licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its signal is estimated to reach about 234 cities and towns within 72 miles.
About WUCW
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 790 kW effective radiated power, WUCW runs more power than 73% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 436 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 62% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 61 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 72 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 234 cities and towns in our guide with about 3,660,000 residents, as far as Owatonna, MN (68 miles).
WUCW shares its transmitter site with KSTP-TV (ABC), WCCO-TV (CBS), KARE (NBC) and KSTC-TV (MeTV). One antenna aimed at this site picks up all of them.
The nearest other CW station in our data is KMNF-CD in Mankato, MN, 100 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
The CW is a commercial broadcast network carrying entertainment series and a growing slate of sports. In smaller markets it often runs as a subchannel of another station rather than its own transmitter.
Station facts
| Network | CW |
| Virtual channel | 23 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Minneapolis, MN |
| Tower location | 45.06222, -93.13944 |
| Effective radiated power | 790 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 436 m (1,431 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 36395 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WUCW
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoreview, MN | 1.2 mi | 162° SSE | Strong |
| Roseville, MN | 4.0 mi | 12° NNE | Strong |
| Fridley, MN | 6.3 mi | 105° ESE | Strong |
| White Bear Lake, MN | 6.5 mi | 256° WSW | Strong |
| Blaine, MN | 8.3 mi | 146° SE | Strong |
| Coon Rapids, MN | 8.3 mi | 119° ESE | Strong |
| Minneapolis, MN | 8.3 mi | 47° NE | Strong |
| Saint Paul, MN | 8.4 mi | 345° NNW | Strong |
| Brooklyn Center, MN | 9.5 mi | 96° E | Strong |
| Maplewood, MN | 10 mi | 317° NW | Strong |
| Brooklyn Park, MN | 11 mi | 102° ESE | Strong |
| Oakdale, MN | 11 mi | 309° NW | Strong |
| West Coon Rapids, MN | 12 mi | 123° ESE | Strong |
| Saint Louis Park, MN | 13 mi | 52° NE | Strong |
| Woodbury, MN | 13 mi | 317° NW | Strong |
| Andover, MN | 14 mi | 148° SSE | Strong |
| Richfield, MN | 14 mi | 30° NNE | Strong |
| Champlin, MN | 15 mi | 125° SE | Strong |
| Maple Grove, MN | 15 mi | 93° E | Strong |
| Inver Grove Heights, MN | 16 mi | 342° NNW | Strong |
| Edina, MN | 16 mi | 41° NE | Strong |
| Plymouth, MN | 16 mi | 77° ENE | Strong |
| Minnetonka Mills, MN | 17 mi | 60° ENE | Strong |
| Bloomington, MN | 17 mi | 27° NNE | Strong |
| Eagan, MN | 18 mi | 4° N | Strong |
| Cottage Grove, MN | 19 mi | 330° NNW | Strong |
| Ramsey, MN | 20 mi | 132° SE | Strong |
| Minnetonka, MN | 21 mi | 60° ENE | Strong |
| Burnsville, MN | 21 mi | 18° NNE | Strong |
| Eden Prairie, MN | 22 mi | 48° NE | Strong |
| Savage, MN | 22 mi | 26° NNE | Strong |
| Apple Valley, MN | 23 mi | 10° N | Strong |
| Chanhassen, MN | 24 mi | 54° NE | Good |
| Shakopee, MN | 26 mi | 46° NE | Good |
| Elk River, MN | 27 mi | 129° SE | Good |
| Prior Lake, MN | 28 mi | 30° NNE | Good |
| Lakeville, MN | 29 mi | 10° N | Good |
| Chaska, MN | 29 mi | 50° NE | Good |
| Saint Cloud, MN | 60 mi | 124° SE | Good |
| Owatonna, MN | 68 mi | 4° N | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
- KSTP-TVABC · 5
- WCCO-TVCBS · 4
- KARENBC · 11
- KSTC-TVMeTV · 5.3
- KMSP-TVFox · 9
- KJNK-LDTelemundo · 25
- WUMN-LDUnivision · 21
- KPXM-TVION · 41
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WUCW transmitter tower?
WUCW broadcasts from a tower at 45.0622, -93.1394, near Arden Hills, MN. It is licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What channel is WUCW on?
WUCW appears as virtual channel 23 (23.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CW.
How far does WUCW broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 72 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 81 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WUCW with an antenna?
About 3,660,000 people live in the 234 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WUCW?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WUCW tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.