TV channels & antenna towers in Franklin, Maine

Franklin has 15 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, NBC, Fox, CW and MeTV. About 5 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W36FM-D, 20 miles to the NW.

Open Franklin in the live finder

15TV transmitters within 70 miles

5networks over the air

20 mito the closest tower

1,424population

Network channels in Franklin

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
ABCWVII-TVABC	7	20 mi	306° NW	Fair	Bangor, ME
FOXWFVX-LDFox	22	20 mi	306° NW	Fair	Bangor, ME
NBCWLBZNBC	2	24 mi	296° WNW	Weak	Bangor, ME
MeTVWBGR-LDMeTV	18.1	38 mi	303° WNW	Poor	Bangor/Dedham, ME
CWWABI-TVCW	5.2	42 mi	281° W	Fair	Bangor, ME

Over-the-air TV in Franklin

Franklin, Maine has a population of about 1,420. Our map shows 15 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 5 full-power and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 5 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 5 transmitters are within 25 miles, 8 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther out. Four of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Bangor, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Bangor's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (WVII-TV), NBC on channel 2 (WLBZ), Fox on channel 22 (WFVX-LD), CW on channel 5.2 (WABI-TV) and MeTV on channel 18.1 (WBGR-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WBZ-TV in Boston, MA, 218 miles to the southwest. 2 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Franklin

Point your antenna WNW, at about 301°. The main network towers for Franklin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Franklin, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Franklin

The farthest main network tower for Franklin is WLBZ (NBC), 24 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Franklin

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W36FM-DLow power	20 mi	306° NW	Fair	Etna, ME
WMEB-TVFull power	20 mi	307° NW	Strong	Orono, ME
W20ER-DLow power	33 mi	304° NW	Weak	Bangor, ME
W32FS-DLow power	33 mi	304° NW	Weak	Bangor, ME
W15DS-DLow power	38 mi	303° WNW	Poor	Bangor, ME
W34EQ-DLow power	38 mi	303° WNW	Poor	Bangor, ME
W19FA-DLow power	42 mi	281° W	Poor	Bangor, ME
W21EO-DLow power	42 mi	281° W	Poor	Orono, ME
WMED-TVFull power	54 mi	55° NE	Poor	Calais, ME
WEXZ-LDLow power	60 mi	300° WNW	Poor	Bangor, ME

How Franklin compares with the rest of Maine

With 5 stations at fair strength or better, Franklin ranks 195th of 256 places in Maine: fewer than the typical Maine town (8). Its nearest major network tower is 20 miles away, against a state median of 28 miles.

53% of Maine's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Bangor, 31 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Franklin: step by step

Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
Point it toward 296° WNW, the direction of WLBZ (NBC), 24 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
Expect around 5 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Franklin, ME?

ABC is on channel 7 from WVII-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles NW of Franklin. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Franklin, ME?

NBC is on channel 2 from WLBZ, broadcasting from 24 miles WNW of Franklin. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is Fox in Franklin, ME?

Fox is on channel 22 from WFVX-LD, broadcasting from 20 miles NW of Franklin. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Franklin, ME?

CW is on channel 5.2 from WABI-TV, broadcasting from 42 miles W of Franklin. Estimated signal: fair.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Franklin?

15 transmitters within 70 miles of Franklin; around 5 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.

Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Franklin?

Point your antenna WNW, at about 301°. The main network towers for Franklin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Franklin?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Franklin?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Franklin?

Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.

TV channels in nearby Maine cities

More: all TV stations in Maine · Northeast region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Franklin; signal estimates ignore terrain.