TV channels & antenna towers in Manistee, Michigan

Manistee has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC and CW. About 3 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WCMW, 12 miles to the S.

Open Manistee in the live finder

20TV transmitters within 70 miles

4networks over the air

12 mito the closest tower

6,084population

Network channels in Manistee

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
NBCWXII-LDNBC	12	48 mi	42° NE	Poor	Cedar, MI
CWWFQX-TVCW	32.2	49 mi	98° E	Fair	Cadillac, MI
CBSWWTVCBS	9	49 mi	98° E	Fair	Cadillac, MI
ABCWZZMABC	13	68 mi	162° SSE	Poor	Grand Rapids, MI

Over-the-air TV in Manistee

Manistee, Michigan has a population of about 6,080. Our map shows 20 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 5 full-power, 2 Class A, 12 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 3 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.

1 of them is within 25 miles of Manistee, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 19 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 4 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 13 (WZZM), CBS on channel 9 (WWTV), NBC on channel 12 (WXII-LD) and CW on channel 32.2 (WFQX-TV). No Fox affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WLUK-TV in Green Bay, WI, 83 miles to the west. 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 Manistee

The main network towers around Manistee are in different directions: ABC 162° SSE (68 mi) and CBS 98° E (49 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 49 miles east of Manistee (98° E). That one direction covers every station on the site.

WZZM (ABC) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Manistee. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Manistee

The farthest main network tower for Manistee is WZZM (ABC), 68 miles away with a very weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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 Manistee

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WCMWFull power	12 mi	182° S	Good	Manistee, MI
W36FH-DLow power	46 mi	40° NE	Poor	Traverse City, MI
W23FL-DTranslator	48 mi	41° NE	Poor	Traverse City, MI
W16DN-DLow power	48 mi	41° NE	Poor	Traverse City, MI
W27DU-DLow power	48 mi	41° NE	Poor	Traverse City, MI
W15DF-DLow power	49 mi	98° E	Poor	Houghton Lake, MI
W19EZ-DLow power	49 mi	98° E	Poor	Houghton Lake, MI
W36FA-DLow power	50 mi	164° SSE	Poor	Hesperia, MI
WMNN-LDLow power	50 mi	90° E	Poor	Lake City, MI
W31FI-DLow power	50 mi	90° E	Poor	Traverse City, MI
W14FD-DLow power	50 mi	90° E	Poor	Traverse City, MI
W23EB-DLow power	51 mi	98° E	Poor	Cadillac, MI
W18ER-DLow power	65 mi	172° S	Poor	Muskegon, MI
WCMU-TVFull power	65 mi	121° ESE	Weak	Mount Pleasant, MI
WLWK-CDClass A	69 mi	312° NW	Poor	Sturgeon Bay, WI
WOMS-CDClass A	69 mi	170° S	Poor	Muskegon, MI

How Manistee compares with the rest of Michigan

With 3 stations at fair strength or better, Manistee ranks 427th of 447 places in Michigan: fewer than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 48 miles away, against a state median of 20 miles.

19% of Michigan's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna.

Setting up an antenna in Manistee: 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 162° SSE, the direction of WZZM (ABC), 68 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 3 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 Manistee, MI?

ABC is on channel 13 from WZZM, broadcasting from 68 miles SSE of Manistee. Estimated signal: very weak.

What channel is CBS in Manistee, MI?

CBS is on channel 9 from WWTV, broadcasting from 49 miles E of Manistee. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Manistee, MI?

NBC is on channel 12 from WXII-LD, broadcasting from 48 miles NE of Manistee. Estimated signal: very weak.

What channel is CW in Manistee, MI?

CW is on channel 32.2 from WFQX-TV, broadcasting from 49 miles E of Manistee. Estimated signal: fair.

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

20 transmitters within 70 miles of Manistee; around 3 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 Manistee?

The main network towers around Manistee are in different directions: ABC 162° SSE (68 mi) and CBS 98° E (49 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Manistee?

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. The towers are spread over about 64° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Manistee?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Manistee?

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 Manistee; signal estimates ignore terrain.