TV channels & antenna towers in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 20 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WLPC-CD, 0.1 miles to the NE.
Network channels in Detroit
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSWWJ-TVCBS | 62 | 10 mi | 321° NW | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| FOXWJBKFox | 2 | 12 mi | 316° NW | Good | Detroit, MI |
| NBCWDIV-TVNBC | 4 | 13 mi | 322° NW | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| ABCWXYZ-TVABC | 7 | 14 mi | 313° NW | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| IONWPXD-TVION | 31 | 17 mi | 308° NW | Good | Ann Arbor, MI |
| CWWKBD-TVCW | 50 | 17 mi | 308° NW | Good | Detroit, MI |
| NBCWNWO-TVNBC | 24 | 49 mi | 199° SSW | Good | Toledo, OH |
| CWWTVGCW | 13.2 | 49 mi | 203° SSW | Fair | Toledo, OH |
| CBSWTOLCBS | 11 | 49 mi | 201° SSW | Fair | Toledo, OH |
| FOXWUPWFox | 36 | 51 mi | 204° SSW | Fair | Toledo, OH |
Over-the-air TV in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan has a population of about 677,000. There are 26 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power, 3 Class A, 7 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 20 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.
15 of them are within 25 miles of Detroit, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 11 are more than 45 miles out. Detroit is a broadcast hub in its own right: five of the 10 network stations in range are licensed here.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (WXYZ-TV), CBS on channel 62 (WWJ-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WDIV-TV), Fox on channel 2 (WJBK), CW on channel 50 (WKBD-TV) and ION on channel 31 (WPXD-TV). 5 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 Detroit
Point your antenna NW, at about 318°. The main network towers for Detroit sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WJBK, WDIV-TV and WXYZ-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 12 miles northwest of Detroit (316° NW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Detroit at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Detroit, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Detroit
The farthest main network tower for Detroit is WXYZ-TV (ABC), 14 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
WLPC-CD is only 0.1 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 Detroit
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WLPC-CDLow power | 0.1 mi | 47° NE | Strong | Redford, MI |
| WHPS-CDClass A | 6.2 mi | 327° NNW | Good | Detroit, MI |
| WTVSFull power | 10 mi | 321° NW | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| WUDL-LDLow power | 10 mi | 321° NW | Good | Detroit, MI |
| WUDT-LDLow power | 10 mi | 321° NW | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WMYDFull power | 10 mi | 321° NW | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| WHNE-LDLow power | 10 mi | 321° NW | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WDWO-CDClass A | 17 mi | 308° NW | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WADLFull power | 17 mi | 28° NNE | Strong | Mount Clemens, MI |
| WGTE-TVFull power | 51 mi | 203° SSW | Fair | Toledo, OH |
| WMNT-CDClass A | 53 mi | 208° SSW | Poor | Toledo, OH |
| WDTJ-LDLow power | 53 mi | 209° SSW | Poor | Toledo, OH |
| WLMBFull power | 64 mi | 231° SW | Poor | Toledo, OH |
| WDMY-LDTranslator | 64 mi | 231° SW | Poor | Toledo, OH |
| WXON-LDLow power | 66 mi | 331° NNW | Poor | Flint, MI |
| W35DQ-DLow power | 70 mi | 328° NNW | Poor | Midland, MI |
How Detroit compares with the rest of Michigan
With 20 stations at fair strength or better, Detroit ranks 91st of 447 places in Michigan: more than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 10 miles away, against a state median of 20 miles.
26% of Michigan's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Detroit: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 313° NW, the direction of WXYZ-TV (ABC), 14 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 20 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 Detroit, MI?
ABC is on channel 7 from WXYZ-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles NW of Detroit. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Detroit, MI?
CBS is on channel 62 from WWJ-TV, broadcasting from 10 miles NW of Detroit. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Detroit, MI?
NBC is on channel 4 from WDIV-TV, broadcasting from 13 miles NW of Detroit. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Detroit, MI?
Fox is on channel 2 from WJBK, broadcasting from 12 miles NW of Detroit. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Detroit, MI?
CW is on channel 50 from WKBD-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles NW of Detroit. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Detroit?
26 transmitters within 70 miles of Detroit; around 20 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 Detroit?
Point your antenna NW, at about 318°. The main network towers for Detroit sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Detroit?
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 Detroit?
WLPC-CD is only 0.1 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 Detroit?
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
- Hamtramck4.2 mi
- Highland Park5.8 mi
- River Rouge6.0 mi
- Grosse Pointe Park6.3 mi
- Dearborn6.7 mi
- Melvindale7.4 mi
- Grosse Pointe7.8 mi
- Ecorse7.9 mi
- Lincoln Park8.8 mi
- Harper Woods9.4 mi
- Grosse Pointe Farms9.5 mi
- Hazel Park9.5 mi
- Wyandotte9.7 mi
- Allen Park9.9 mi
- Ferndale10 mi
- Grosse Pointe Woods11 mi
- Eastpointe11 mi
- Center Line11 mi
- Madison Heights11 mi
- Southgate11 mi
- Warren11 mi
- Oak Park11 mi
- Dearborn Heights12 mi
- Huntington Woods12 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 Detroit; signal estimates ignore terrain.