TV channels & antenna towers in West Branch, Michigan
West Branch has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox and CW. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W34FD-D, 42 miles to the SSE.
Network channels in West Branch
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWBKB-TVABC | 11.3 | 46 mi | 50° NE | Weak | Alpena, MI |
| ABCWPBN-TVABC | 7.2 | 52 mi | 309° NW | Good | Traverse City, MI |
| ABCWGTUABC | 29 | 52 mi | 309° NW | Fair | Traverse City, MI |
| CWWFQX-TVCW | 32.2 | 56 mi | 260° W | Fair | Cadillac, MI |
| CBSWWTVCBS | 9 | 56 mi | 260° W | Fair | Cadillac, MI |
| CBSWNEM-TVCBS | 5 | 59 mi | 160° SSE | Fair | Bay City, MI |
| FOXWFUPFox | 45 | 67 mi | 338° NNW | Weak | Vanderbilt, MI |
Over-the-air TV in West Branch
With roughly 2,070 residents, West Branch is a small community in Michigan. Our map shows 25 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power and 14 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 2 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of West Branch, 4 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 21 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 5 (WNEM-TV), Fox on channel 45 (WFUP) and CW on channel 32.2 (WFQX-TV). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WEYI-TV in Saginaw, MI, 78 miles to the south. 4 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 West Branch
The main network towers around West Branch are in different directions: ABC 309° NW (52 mi), CBS 160° SSE (59 mi) and Fox 338° NNW (67 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Two network stations, WPBN-TV and WGTU, transmit from the same tower site about 52 miles northwest of West Branch (309° NW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach West Branch at fair strength or better, 40% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.
WNEM-TV (CBS) and WFUP (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from West Branch. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for West Branch
The farthest main network tower for West Branch is WFUP (Fox), 67 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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 West Branch
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W34FD-DLow power | 42 mi | 162° SSE | Poor | Saginaw, MI |
| W31FF-DLow power | 42 mi | 206° SSW | Poor | Saginaw, MI |
| W27ET-DLow power | 42 mi | 206° SSW | Poor | Saginaw, MI |
| W19FG-DLow power | 42 mi | 206° SSW | Poor | Midland, MI |
| WKNX-LDLow power | 47 mi | 160° SSE | Poor | Bay City, MI |
| WCMVFull power | 52 mi | 309° NW | Good | Cadillac, MI |
| WMNN-LDLow power | 53 mi | 268° W | Poor | Lake City, MI |
| W31FI-DLow power | 53 mi | 268° W | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W14FD-DLow power | 53 mi | 268° W | Poor | Traverse City, MI |
| W23EB-DLow power | 54 mi | 260° W | Poor | Cadillac, MI |
| W15DF-DLow power | 56 mi | 260° W | Poor | Houghton Lake, MI |
| W19EZ-DLow power | 56 mi | 260° W | Poor | Houghton Lake, MI |
| WDCQ-TVFull power | 58 mi | 150° SSE | Fair | Bad Axe, MI |
| WCMLFull power | 60 mi | 4° N | Fair | Alpena, MI |
| WCMU-TVFull power | 60 mi | 233° SW | Fair | Mount Pleasant, MI |
| WFFC-LDLow power | 63 mi | 165° SSE | Poor | Midland, MI |
| W22EL-DLow power | 67 mi | 338° NNW | Poor | Vanderbilt, MI |
| W20DT-DLow power | 67 mi | 338° NNW | Poor | Vanderbilt, MI |
How West Branch compares with the rest of Michigan
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, West Branch ranks 368th of 447 places in Michigan: fewer than the typical Michigan town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 46 miles away, against a state median of 20 miles.
19% of Michigan's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Midland, 46 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in West Branch: 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 338° NNW, the direction of WFUP (Fox), 67 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 9 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 West Branch, MI?
ABC is on channel 7.2 from WPBN-TV, broadcasting from 52 miles NW of West Branch. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in West Branch, MI?
CBS is on channel 5 from WNEM-TV, broadcasting from 59 miles SSE of West Branch. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in West Branch, MI?
Fox is on channel 45 from WFUP, broadcasting from 67 miles NNW of West Branch. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CW in West Branch, MI?
CW is on channel 32.2 from WFQX-TV, broadcasting from 56 miles W of West Branch. Estimated signal: fair.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in West Branch?
25 transmitters within 70 miles of West Branch; around 9 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 West Branch?
The main network towers around West Branch are in different directions: ABC 309° NW (52 mi), CBS 160° SSE (59 mi) and Fox 338° NNW (67 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in West Branch?
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 178° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in West Branch?
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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in West Branch?
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
- Saint Helen10 mi
- Skidway Lake12 mi
- Prudenville21 mi
- Roscommon23 mi
- Gladwin24 mi
- Standish25 mi
- Houghton Lake26 mi
- Mio27 mi
- Sand Lake28 mi
- Beaverton30 mi
- Pinconning32 mi
- Harrison33 mi
- Grayling35 mi
- Tawas City36 mi
- East Tawas37 mi
- Coleman40 mi
- Clare41 mi
- Lewiston42 mi
- Midland46 mi
- Au Sable46 mi
- Auburn47 mi
- Hubbard Lake48 mi
- Lake City48 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 West Branch; signal estimates ignore terrain.