RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in Lake City, Michigan

Lake City has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WMNN-LD, 8.2 miles to the SW.

Open Lake City in the live finder
26TV transmitters within 70 miles
5networks over the air
8.2 mito the closest tower
843population

Network channels in Lake City

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CWWFQX-TVCW32.2 15 mi205° SSW GoodCadillac, MI
CBSWWTVCBS9 15 mi205° SSW GoodCadillac, MI
ABCWPBN-TVABC7.2 29 mi14° NNE GoodTraverse City, MI
ABCWGTUABC29 29 mi14° NNE GoodTraverse City, MI
NBCWXII-LDNBC12 37 mi322° NW PoorCedar, MI
FOXWFUPFox45 62 mi21° NNE WeakVanderbilt, MI

Over-the-air TV in Lake City

Lake City, Michigan has a population of about 843. Our map shows 26 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 8 full-power, 17 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.

8 of them are within 25 miles of Lake City, 9 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Cadillac, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cadillac's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7.2 (WPBN-TV), CBS on channel 9 (WWTV), NBC on channel 12 (WXII-LD), Fox on channel 45 (WFUP) and CW on channel 32.2 (WFQX-TV). 3 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 Lake City

The main network towers around Lake City are in different directions: ABC 14° NNE (29 mi) and CBS 205° SSW (15 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Two network stations, WFQX-TV and WWTV, transmit from the same tower site about 15 miles southwest of Lake City (205° SSW). 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 Lake City at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Lake City

The farthest main network tower for Lake City is WPBN-TV (ABC), 29 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WFUP (Fox), 62 miles north, 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 Lake City

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WMNN-LDLow power8.2 mi 218° SWGoodLake City, MI
W31FI-DLow power8.2 mi 218° SWGoodTraverse City, MI
W14FD-DLow power8.2 mi 218° SWGoodTraverse City, MI
W23EB-DLow power15 mi 198° SSWFairCadillac, MI
W15DF-DLow power15 mi 205° SSWFairHoughton Lake, MI
W19EZ-DLow power15 mi 205° SSWFairHoughton Lake, MI
WCMVFull power29 mi 14° NNEGoodCadillac, MI
W23FL-DTranslator37 mi 322° NWPoorTraverse City, MI
W16DN-DLow power37 mi 322° NWWeakTraverse City, MI
W27DU-DLow power37 mi 322° NWWeakTraverse City, MI
W36FH-DLow power38 mi 319° NWWeakTraverse City, MI
WCMU-TVFull power40 mi 180° SGoodMount Pleasant, MI
W31FF-DLow power52 mi 144° SEPoorSaginaw, MI
W27ET-DLow power52 mi 144° SEPoorSaginaw, MI
W19FG-DLow power52 mi 144° SEPoorMidland, MI
WCMWFull power58 mi 252° WSWPoorManistee, MI
W22EL-DLow power62 mi 21° NNEPoorVanderbilt, MI
W20DT-DLow power62 mi 21° NNEPoorVanderbilt, MI
WBWM-LDLow power62 mi 181° SPoorMt Pleasant, MI
W36FA-DLow power68 mi 218° SWPoorHesperia, MI

How Lake City compares with the rest of Michigan

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Lake City ranks 316th of 447 places in Michigan: fewer than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 15 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 Lake City: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 14° NNE, the direction of WPBN-TV (ABC), 29 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 12 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Lake City, MI?

ABC is on channel 7.2 from WPBN-TV, broadcasting from 29 miles NNE of Lake City. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Lake City, MI?

CBS is on channel 9 from WWTV, broadcasting from 15 miles SSW of Lake City. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Lake City, MI?

NBC is on channel 12 from WXII-LD, broadcasting from 37 miles NW of Lake City. Estimated signal: very weak.

What channel is Fox in Lake City, MI?

Fox is on channel 45 from WFUP, broadcasting from 62 miles NNE of Lake City. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is CW in Lake City, MI?

CW is on channel 32.2 from WFQX-TV, broadcasting from 15 miles SSW of Lake City. Estimated signal: good.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Lake City?

26 transmitters within 70 miles of Lake City; around 12 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 Lake City?

The main network towers around Lake City are in different directions: ABC 14° NNE (29 mi) and CBS 205° SSW (15 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Lake City?

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. The towers are spread over about 169° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help. Picking up Fox from up to 62 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Lake City?

WFUP (Fox), 62 miles north, 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 Lake City?

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

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