TV channels & antenna towers in Bay Harbor, Michigan
Bay Harbor has 19 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W27DQ-D, 9.8 miles to the NNE.
Network channels in Bay Harbor
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWFUPFox | 45 | 21 mi | 130° SE | Good | Vanderbilt, MI |
| ABCWTOM-TVABC | 4 | 41 mi | 61° ENE | Good | Cheboygan, MI |
| ABCWPBN-TVABC | 7.2 | 43 mi | 179° S | Good | Traverse City, MI |
| ABCWGTUABC | 29 | 43 mi | 179° S | Good | Traverse City, MI |
| NBCWXII-LDNBC | 12 | 51 mi | 215° SW | Poor | Cedar, MI |
| ABCWGTQABC | 8 | 67 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Sault Ste. Marie, MI |
| CBSWWUP-TVCBS | 10 | 68 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Sault Ste. Marie, MI |
Over-the-air TV in Bay Harbor
Bay Harbor, Michigan has a population of about 5,750. There are 19 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 8 full-power, 10 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 5 transmitters are within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Two of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Traverse City, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Traverse City's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7.2 (WPBN-TV), CBS on channel 10 (WWUP-TV), NBC on channel 12 (WXII-LD) and Fox on channel 45 (WFUP). 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 Bay Harbor
The main network towers around Bay Harbor are in different directions: ABC 179° S (43 mi) and Fox 130° SE (21 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, WPBN-TV and WGTU, transmit from the same tower site about 43 miles south of Bay Harbor (179° S). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Bay Harbor at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Bay Harbor, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Bay Harbor
The farthest main network tower for Bay Harbor is WPBN-TV (ABC), 43 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WWUP-TV (CBS), 68 miles northeast, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.
Other stations near Bay Harbor
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W27DQ-DLow power | 9.8 mi | 15° NNE | Good | Elmhurst, MI |
| W31FA-DLow power | 9.8 mi | 15° NNE | Good | Elmhurst, MI |
| W22EL-DLow power | 21 mi | 130° SE | Fair | Vanderbilt, MI |
| W20DT-DLow power | 21 mi | 130° SE | Fair | Vanderbilt, MI |
| WCMVFull power | 43 mi | 179° S | Good | Cadillac, MI |
| WCMLFull power | 47 mi | 109° ESE | Good | Alpena, MI |
| W23FL-DTranslator | 51 mi | 215° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W16DN-DLow power | 51 mi | 215° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W27DU-DLow power | 51 mi | 215° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W36FH-DLow power | 53 mi | 216° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W30DQ-DLow power | 68 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Charles, MI |
| W28EJ-DLow power | 68 mi | 44° NE | Poor | Charles, MI |
How Bay Harbor compares with the rest of Michigan
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Bay Harbor ranks 349th of 447 places in Michigan: fewer than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 21 miles away, against a state median of 20 miles.
56% of Michigan's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Bay Harbor: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 179° S, the direction of WPBN-TV (ABC), 43 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 10 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 Bay Harbor, MI?
ABC is on channel 7.2 from WPBN-TV, broadcasting from 43 miles S of Bay Harbor. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Bay Harbor, MI?
CBS is on channel 10 from WWUP-TV, broadcasting from 68 miles NE of Bay Harbor. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is NBC in Bay Harbor, MI?
NBC is on channel 12 from WXII-LD, broadcasting from 51 miles SW of Bay Harbor. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is Fox in Bay Harbor, MI?
Fox is on channel 45 from WFUP, broadcasting from 21 miles SE of Bay Harbor. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Bay Harbor?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Bay Harbor; around 10 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 Bay Harbor?
The main network towers around Bay Harbor are in different directions: ABC 179° S (43 mi) and Fox 130° SE (21 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Bay Harbor?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice. Picking up CBS from up to 68 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Bay Harbor?
WWUP-TV (CBS), 68 miles northeast, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Bay Harbor?
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 Michigan cities
- Petoskey6.2 mi
- Harbor Springs6.4 mi
- Charlevoix9.1 mi
- Boyne City11 mi
- East Jordan14 mi
- Indian River23 mi
- Bellaire27 mi
- Gaylord31 mi
- Mancelona32 mi
- Cheboygan35 mi
- Elk Rapids36 mi
- Rapid City38 mi
- Saint Ignace39 mi
- Leland41 mi
- Kalkaska44 mi
- Greilickville48 mi
- Traverse City49 mi
More: all TV stations in Michigan · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Bay Harbor; signal estimates ignore terrain.