TV stations in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has 89 licensed TV transmitters: 44 full-power, 4 Class A, 26 low-power and 15 translator stations. Translators make up 17% of the total, below the national share of 41%, a sign that most people live within reach of the main towers.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Milwaukee (10), Madison (6), Green Bay (5) and La Crosse (4). Those cities are where the main broadcast hubs sit, and most viewers aim their antennas toward one of them.

The most powerful full-power transmitter in Wisconsin is WBAY-TV (ABC) in Green Bay, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is WEAU near Eau Claire, 616 m (2,019 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 423 cities and towns in Wisconsin. A typical place gets 12 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 25 miles away. 30% of places can use an indoor antenna, 44% need an amplified or attic antenna, 26% an outdoor directional antenna and 0% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 99%, CBS 93%, NBC 78% and Fox 97%.

Lake Geneva has the most stations in reach (35). Little Round Lake is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 67 miles away.