TV channels & antenna towers in Cato, Wisconsin
Cato has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 9 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WFRV-TV (CBS), 14 miles to the NNW.
Network channels in Cato
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSWFRV-TVCBS | 5 | 14 mi | 336° NNW | Strong | Green Bay, WI |
| TLMWMEITelemundo | 31.6 | 14 mi | 336° NNW | Strong | Shawano, WI |
| NBCWGBA-TVNBC | 26 | 16 mi | 338° NNW | Strong | Green Bay, WI |
| FOXWLUK-TVFox | 11 | 19 mi | 341° NNW | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| CWWCWFCW | 14 | 19 mi | 341° NNW | Strong | Suring, WI |
| ABCWBAY-TVABC | 2 | 20 mi | 339° NNW | Strong | Green Bay, WI |
| TBNWWRS-TVTrinity | 52 | 59 mi | 214° SW | Weak | Mayville, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Cato
Cato is a small community of about 1,550 people in Wisconsin. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 13 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power, 1 Class A, 2 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
10 of them are within 25 miles of Cato, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are more than 45 miles out. Four of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to Green Bay, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Green Bay's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 2 (WBAY-TV), CBS on channel 5 (WFRV-TV), NBC on channel 26 (WGBA-TV), Fox on channel 11 (WLUK-TV), CW on channel 14 (WCWF), Telemundo on channel 31.6 (WMEI) and Trinity on channel 52 (WWRS-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal). 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 Cato
Point your antenna NNW, at about 339°. The main network towers for Cato sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WFRV-TV, WMEI and WGBA-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 14 miles northwest of Cato (336° NNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Cato at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Cato, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Cato
The farthest main network tower for Cato is WBAY-TV (ABC), 20 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
WFRV-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 Cato
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WACY-TVFull power | 16 mi | 338° NNW | Good | Appleton, WI |
| W30BU-DLow power | 16 mi | 338° NNW | Weak | Green Bay, WI |
| WGBD-LDLow power | 19 mi | 341° NNW | Fair | Green Bay, WI |
| WPNE-TVFull power | 20 mi | 339° NNW | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| W21EF-DTranslator | 35 mi | 227° SW | Poor | Fond Du Lac, WI |
| WLWK-CDClass A | 58 mi | 25° NNE | Poor | Sturgeon Bay, WI |
How Cato compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 9 stations at fair strength or better, Cato ranks 299th of 423 places in Wisconsin: fewer than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 14 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
30% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Manitowoc, 11 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Cato: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 339° NNW, the direction of WBAY-TV (ABC), 20 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 Cato, WI?
ABC is on channel 2 from WBAY-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles NNW of Cato. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Cato, WI?
CBS is on channel 5 from WFRV-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles NNW of Cato. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Cato, WI?
NBC is on channel 26 from WGBA-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles NNW of Cato. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Cato, WI?
Fox is on channel 11 from WLUK-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles NNW of Cato. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Cato, WI?
CW is on channel 14 from WCWF, broadcasting from 19 miles NNW of Cato. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Cato?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of Cato; around 9 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 Cato?
Point your antenna NNW, at about 339°. The main network towers for Cato sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Cato?
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 Cato?
WFRV-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 Cato?
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 Wisconsin cities
- Brillion10 mi
- Manitowoc11 mi
- Two Rivers14 mi
- Chilton17 mi
- Kiel18 mi
- Bellevue21 mi
- Kaukauna22 mi
- De Pere23 mi
- Harrison24 mi
- Allouez24 mi
- Little Chute25 mi
- Kimberly25 mi
- Ashwaubenon26 mi
- Green Bay27 mi
- Plymouth28 mi
- Sheboygan28 mi
- Kewaunee28 mi
- Luxemburg28 mi
- Sheboygan Falls28 mi
- Hobart28 mi
- Appleton29 mi
- Menasha29 mi
- Howard30 mi
- Neenah30 mi
More: all TV stations in Wisconsin · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Cato; signal estimates ignore terrain.