TV channels & antenna towers in Petoskey, Michigan
Petoskey 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, 9.6 miles to the NNW.
Network channels in Petoskey
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWFUPFox | 45 | 17 mi | 145° SE | Good | Vanderbilt, MI |
| ABCWTOM-TVABC | 4 | 35 mi | 57° ENE | Good | Cheboygan, MI |
| ABCWPBN-TVABC | 7.2 | 44 mi | 187° S | Good | Traverse City, MI |
| ABCWGTUABC | 29 | 44 mi | 187° S | Good | Traverse City, MI |
| NBCWXII-LDNBC | 12 | 55 mi | 220° SW | Poor | Cedar, MI |
| ABCWGTQABC | 8 | 62 mi | 41° NE | Weak | Sault Ste. Marie, MI |
| CBSWWUP-TVCBS | 10 | 63 mi | 41° NE | Weak | Sault Ste. Marie, MI |
Over-the-air TV in Petoskey
Petoskey, Michigan has a population of about 5,720. Our map shows 19 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 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.
5 of them are within 25 miles of Petoskey, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles 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 Petoskey
Point your antenna SSE, at about 166°. The main network towers for Petoskey sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, WPBN-TV and WGTU, transmit from the same tower site about 44 miles south of Petoskey (187° S). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Petoskey 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 Petoskey, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Petoskey
The farthest main network tower for Petoskey is WPBN-TV (ABC), 44 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WWUP-TV (CBS), 63 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 Petoskey
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 | 9.6 mi | 338° NNW | Good | Elmhurst, MI |
| W31FA-DLow power | 9.6 mi | 338° NNW | Good | Elmhurst, MI |
| W22EL-DLow power | 17 mi | 145° SE | Fair | Vanderbilt, MI |
| W20DT-DLow power | 17 mi | 145° SE | Fair | Vanderbilt, MI |
| WCMLFull power | 42 mi | 113° ESE | Good | Alpena, MI |
| WCMVFull power | 44 mi | 187° S | Good | Cadillac, MI |
| W23FL-DTranslator | 55 mi | 220° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W16DN-DLow power | 55 mi | 220° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W27DU-DLow power | 55 mi | 220° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W36FH-DLow power | 57 mi | 221° SW | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W30DQ-DLow power | 63 mi | 41° NE | Poor | Charles, MI |
| W28EJ-DLow power | 63 mi | 41° NE | Poor | Charles, MI |
How Petoskey compares with the rest of Michigan
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Petoskey ranks 349th of 447 places in Michigan: fewer than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 17 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 Petoskey: 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 187° S, the direction of WPBN-TV (ABC), 44 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 Petoskey, MI?
ABC is on channel 7.2 from WPBN-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles S of Petoskey. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Petoskey, MI?
CBS is on channel 10 from WWUP-TV, broadcasting from 63 miles NE of Petoskey. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is NBC in Petoskey, MI?
NBC is on channel 12 from WXII-LD, broadcasting from 55 miles SW of Petoskey. Estimated signal: very weak.
What channel is Fox in Petoskey, MI?
Fox is on channel 45 from WFUP, broadcasting from 17 miles SE of Petoskey. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Petoskey?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Petoskey; 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 Petoskey?
Point your antenna SSE, at about 166°. The main network towers for Petoskey sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Petoskey?
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 63 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Petoskey?
WWUP-TV (CBS), 63 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 Petoskey?
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
- Harbor Springs4.4 mi
- Bay Harbor6.2 mi
- Boyne City11 mi
- Charlevoix15 mi
- Indian River17 mi
- East Jordan17 mi
- Gaylord28 mi
- Bellaire30 mi
- Cheboygan30 mi
- Mancelona33 mi
- Saint Ignace36 mi
- Elk Rapids40 mi
- Rapid City41 mi
- Kalkaska45 mi
- Leland46 mi
- Lewiston46 mi
- Atlanta47 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 Petoskey; signal estimates ignore terrain.