TV channels & antenna towers in Buena Vista, Michigan
Buena Vista has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WFFC-LD, 2.3 miles to the SW.
Network channels in Buena Vista
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSWNEM-TVCBS | 5 | 4.4 mi | 39° NE | Strong | Bay City, MI |
| ABCWJRT-TVABC | 12 | 15 mi | 212° SSW | Good | Flint, MI |
| FOXWSMHFox | 66 | 16 mi | 214° SSW | Good | Flint, MI |
| NBCWEYI-TVNBC | 25 | 17 mi | 148° SSE | Good | Saginaw, MI |
| CWWBSFCW | 46 | 17 mi | 148° SSE | Strong | Bay City, MI |
| CWWLAJCW | 53.2 | 56 mi | 206° SSW | Fair | Lansing, MI |
| CBSWLNS-TVCBS | 6 | 56 mi | 206° SSW | Fair | Lansing, MI |
Over-the-air TV in Buena Vista
Buena Vista, Michigan has a population of about 6,820. Our map shows 21 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
12 of them are within 25 miles of Buena Vista, 3 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 6 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Bay City, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Bay City's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 12 (WJRT-TV), CBS on channel 5 (WNEM-TV), NBC on channel 25 (WEYI-TV), Fox on channel 66 (WSMH) and CW on channel 46 (WBSF). 4 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 Buena Vista
The main network towers around Buena Vista are in different directions: ABC 212° SSW (15 mi), CBS 39° NE (4.4 mi), NBC 148° SSE (17 mi) and Fox 214° SSW (16 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, WJRT-TV and WSMH, transmit from the same tower site about 15 miles southwest of Buena Vista (212° SSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Buena Vista at fair strength or better, 57% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Buena Vista, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Buena Vista
The farthest main network tower for Buena Vista is WEYI-TV (NBC), 17 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
WFFC-LD is only 2.3 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Other stations near Buena Vista
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WFFC-LDLow power | 2.3 mi | 214° SW | Strong | Midland, MI |
| WDCQ-TVFull power | 15 mi | 55° NE | Good | Bad Axe, MI |
| WKNX-LDLow power | 15 mi | 356° N | Weak | Bay City, MI |
| WAQPFull power | 16 mi | 210° SSW | Strong | Saginaw, MI |
| W35DQ-DLow power | 17 mi | 158° SSE | Fair | Midland, MI |
| W34FD-DLow power | 20 mi | 348° NNW | Fair | Saginaw, MI |
| WXON-LDLow power | 20 mi | 147° SSE | Fair | Flint, MI |
| W31FF-DLow power | 41 mi | 301° WNW | Poor | Saginaw, MI |
| W27ET-DLow power | 41 mi | 301° WNW | Poor | Saginaw, MI |
| W19FG-DLow power | 41 mi | 301° WNW | Poor | Midland, MI |
| WKAR-TVFull power | 56 mi | 208° SSW | Fair | East Lansing, MI |
| WLNM-LDLow power | 56 mi | 208° SSW | Poor | Lansing, MI |
| WBWM-LDLow power | 67 mi | 271° W | Poor | Mt Pleasant, MI |
| WCMU-TVFull power | 70 mi | 290° WNW | Weak | Mount Pleasant, MI |
How Buena Vista compares with the rest of Michigan
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Buena Vista ranks 268th of 447 places in Michigan: fewer than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 4.4 miles away, against a state median of 20 miles.
26% of Michigan's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Saginaw, 2.6 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Buena Vista: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 148° SSE, the direction of WEYI-TV (NBC), 17 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 14 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 Buena Vista, MI?
ABC is on channel 12 from WJRT-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles SSW of Buena Vista. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Buena Vista, MI?
CBS is on channel 5 from WNEM-TV, broadcasting from 4.4 miles NE of Buena Vista. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Buena Vista, MI?
NBC is on channel 25 from WEYI-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles SSE of Buena Vista. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Buena Vista, MI?
Fox is on channel 66 from WSMH, broadcasting from 16 miles SSW of Buena Vista. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Buena Vista, MI?
CW is on channel 46 from WBSF, broadcasting from 17 miles SSE of Buena Vista. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Buena Vista?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Buena Vista; around 14 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Buena Vista?
The main network towers around Buena Vista are in different directions: ABC 212° SSW (15 mi), CBS 39° NE (4.4 mi), NBC 148° SSE (17 mi) and Fox 214° SSW (16 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Buena Vista?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Buena Vista?
WFFC-LD is only 2.3 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Buena Vista?
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
- Saginaw2.6 mi
- Carrollton3.1 mi
- Bridgeport4.3 mi
- Saginaw Township North6.1 mi
- Shields7.9 mi
- Frankenmuth10 mi
- Bay City12 mi
- Freeland13 mi
- Midland22 mi
- Flushing25 mi
- Beecher25 mi
- Caro26 mi
- New Haven26 mi
- Flint30 mi
- Swartz Creek32 mi
- Burton32 mi
- Owosso32 mi
- Saint Louis36 mi
- Kilmanagh36 mi
- Grand Blanc37 mi
- Ovid37 mi
- Alma38 mi
- Cass City38 mi
- Lapeer39 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 Buena Vista; signal estimates ignore terrain.