TV channels & antenna towers in Rochester, Michigan
Rochester has 29 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 21 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDIV-TV (NBC), 14 miles to the SSW.
Network channels in Rochester
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWDIV-TVNBC | 4 | 14 mi | 195° SSW | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| ABCWXYZ-TVABC | 7 | 16 mi | 202° SSW | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| FOXWJBKFox | 2 | 16 mi | 195° SSW | Good | Detroit, MI |
| CBSWWJ-TVCBS | 62 | 16 mi | 187° S | Good | Detroit, MI |
| IONWPXD-TVION | 31 | 16 mi | 214° SW | Good | Ann Arbor, MI |
| CWWKBD-TVCW | 50 | 16 mi | 214° SW | Good | Detroit, MI |
| NBCWEYI-TVNBC | 25 | 48 mi | 321° NW | Good | Saginaw, MI |
| CWWBSFCW | 46 | 48 mi | 321° NW | Good | Bay City, MI |
| ABCWJRT-TVABC | 12 | 60 mi | 309° NW | Weak | Flint, MI |
| FOXWSMHFox | 66 | 61 mi | 309° NW | Fair | Flint, MI |
| CWWLAJCW | 53.2 | 63 mi | 271° W | Fair | Lansing, MI |
| CBSWLNS-TVCBS | 6 | 63 mi | 271° W | Fair | Lansing, MI |
| CBSWNEM-TVCBS | 5 | 65 mi | 327° NNW | Weak | Bay City, MI |
Over-the-air TV in Rochester
Rochester, Michigan has a population of about 13,000. There are 29 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 19 full-power, 2 Class A and 8 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 21 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 11 at good or strong strength.
15 of them are within 25 miles of Rochester, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 13 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 13 network stations in range are licensed to Detroit, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Detroit's stations.
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). 6 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 Rochester
Point your antenna SSW, at about 195°. The main network towers for Rochester sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, WDIV-TV and WJBK, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles south of Rochester (195° SSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 11 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Rochester at fair strength or better, 36% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across three other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Rochester, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Rochester
The farthest main network tower for Rochester is WWJ-TV (CBS), 16 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.
WDIV-TV is only 14 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 Rochester
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WADLFull power | 15 mi | 125° SE | Strong | Mount Clemens, MI |
| WTVSFull power | 16 mi | 187° S | Good | Detroit, MI |
| WUDL-LDLow power | 16 mi | 187° S | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WUDT-LDLow power | 16 mi | 187° S | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WMYDFull power | 16 mi | 187° S | Strong | Detroit, MI |
| WHNE-LDLow power | 16 mi | 187° S | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WDWO-CDClass A | 16 mi | 214° SW | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WHPS-CDClass A | 19 mi | 177° S | Fair | Detroit, MI |
| WLPC-CDLow power | 25 mi | 169° S | Fair | Redford, MI |
| WXON-LDLow power | 44 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Flint, MI |
| W35DQ-DLow power | 48 mi | 318° NW | Poor | Midland, MI |
| WAQPFull power | 60 mi | 309° NW | Fair | Saginaw, MI |
| WFFC-LDLow power | 63 mi | 321° NW | Poor | Midland, MI |
| WKAR-TVFull power | 65 mi | 272° W | Weak | East Lansing, MI |
| WLNM-LDLow power | 65 mi | 272° W | Poor | Lansing, MI |
| WDCQ-TVFull power | 65 mi | 336° NNW | Weak | Bad Axe, MI |
How Rochester compares with the rest of Michigan
With 21 stations at fair strength or better, Rochester ranks 68th of 447 places in Michigan: more than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 14 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 Rochester Hills, 1.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Rochester: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 187° S, the direction of WWJ-TV (CBS), 16 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 21 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 Rochester, MI?
ABC is on channel 7 from WXYZ-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles SSW of Rochester. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Rochester, MI?
CBS is on channel 62 from WWJ-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles S of Rochester. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Rochester, MI?
NBC is on channel 4 from WDIV-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles SSW of Rochester. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Rochester, MI?
Fox is on channel 2 from WJBK, broadcasting from 16 miles SSW of Rochester. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Rochester, MI?
CW is on channel 50 from WKBD-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles SW of Rochester. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Rochester?
29 transmitters within 70 miles of Rochester; around 21 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 Rochester?
Point your antenna SSW, at about 195°. The main network towers for Rochester sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Rochester?
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 Rochester?
WDIV-TV is only 14 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 Rochester?
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
- Rochester Hills1.7 mi
- Auburn Hills5.1 mi
- Shelby5.2 mi
- Troy5.2 mi
- Pontiac8.5 mi
- Sterling Heights8.7 mi
- Birmingham10 mi
- Clawson10 mi
- Beverly Hills12 mi
- Oxford12 mi
- Berkley13 mi
- Clinton Township13 mi
- Royal Oak13 mi
- Madison Heights14 mi
- Fraser14 mi
- Huntington Woods14 mi
- Waterford14 mi
- Mount Clemens14 mi
- Warren15 mi
- Center Line15 mi
- West Bloomfield Township15 mi
- Southfield15 mi
- Hazel Park15 mi
- Ferndale15 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 Rochester; signal estimates ignore terrain.