TV channels & antenna towers in Darlington, Wisconsin
Darlington has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 7 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KFXB-TV, 28 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Darlington
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWMSN-TVFox | 47 | 39 mi | 49° NE | Good | Madison, WI |
| IONWIFSION | 57 | 39 mi | 49° NE | Good | Janesville, WI |
| ABCWKOWABC | 27 | 39 mi | 49° NE | Good | Madison, WI |
| CBSWISC-TVCBS | 3 | 39 mi | 49° NE | Fair | Madison, WI |
| CWWMTVCW | 15.2 | 41 mi | 51° NE | Good | Madison, WI |
| NBCWREXNBC | 13 | 52 mi | 121° ESE | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo | 23 | 55 mi | 119° ESE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CBSWIFR-LDCBS | 23 | 55 mi | 119° ESE | Poor | Rockford, IL |
| CWWSLNCW | 19 | 55 mi | 119° ESE | Weak | Freeport, IL |
| FOXWQRF-TVFox | 39 | 55 mi | 119° ESE | Weak | Rockford, IL |
| ABCWTVOABC | 17 | 55 mi | 119° ESE | Weak | Rockford, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Darlington
Darlington is a small community of about 2,410 people in Wisconsin. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 20 licensed TV transmitters: 11 full-power, 1 Class A, 6 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 7 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
0 of them are within 25 miles of Darlington, 11 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, IL, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 27 (WKOW), CBS on channel 3 (WISC-TV), NBC on channel 13 (WREX), Fox on channel 47 (WMSN-TV), CW on channel 15.2 (WMTV), ION on channel 57 (WIFS) and Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak 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 Darlington
Point your antenna NE, at about 49°. The main network towers for Darlington sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Four network stations, WMSN-TV, WIFS, WKOW and WISC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 39 miles northeast of Darlington (49° NE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Darlington at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Darlington, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Darlington
The farthest main network tower for Darlington is WMSN-TV (Fox), 39 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WREX (NBC), 52 miles southeast, 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 Darlington
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KFXB-TVFull power | 28 mi | 246° WSW | Good | Dubuque, IA |
| WHA-TVFull power | 39 mi | 49° NE | Good | Madison, WI |
| W23BW-DClass A | 41 mi | 52° NE | Weak | Madison, WI |
| WMWD-LDLow power | 41 mi | 52° NE | Poor | Madison, WI |
| WZCK-LDLow power | 41 mi | 52° NE | Poor | Madison, WI |
| W16DU-DTranslator | 45 mi | 290° WNW | Poor | Bloomington, WI |
| W35DY-DTranslator | 49 mi | 97° E | Poor | Stoughton, WI |
| WMWI-LDLow power | 55 mi | 52° NE | Poor | Verona, WI |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 60 mi | 154° SSE | Poor | Sterling, IL |
How Darlington compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 7 stations at fair strength or better, Darlington ranks 378th of 423 places in Wisconsin: fewer than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 39 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
44% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Dubuque, 31 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Darlington: 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 49° NE, the direction of WMSN-TV (Fox), 39 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 7 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 Darlington, WI?
ABC is on channel 27 from WKOW, broadcasting from 39 miles NE of Darlington. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Darlington, WI?
CBS is on channel 3 from WISC-TV, broadcasting from 39 miles NE of Darlington. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Darlington, WI?
NBC is on channel 13 from WREX, broadcasting from 52 miles ESE of Darlington. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is Fox in Darlington, WI?
Fox is on channel 47 from WMSN-TV, broadcasting from 39 miles NE of Darlington. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Darlington, WI?
CW is on channel 15.2 from WMTV, broadcasting from 41 miles NE of Darlington. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Darlington?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Darlington; around 7 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 Darlington?
Point your antenna NE, at about 49°. The main network towers for Darlington sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Darlington?
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 NBC from up to 52 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Darlington?
WREX (NBC), 52 miles southeast, 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 Darlington?
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
- Shullsburg9.5 mi
- Platteville19 mi
- Dodgeville19 mi
- Monroe25 mi
- Mount Horeb30 mi
- Lancaster32 mi
- Spring Green34 mi
- Fennimore34 mi
- Verona36 mi
- Brodhead38 mi
- Fitchburg38 mi
- Muscoda38 mi
- Oregon41 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Warren, IL14 mi
- Stockton, IL24 mi
- Galena, IL24 mi
- Lena, IL26 mi
- Dubuque, IA31 mi
- Bellevue, IA33 mi
- Asbury, IA34 mi
- Freeport, IL37 mi
- Lake Summerset, IL40 mi
- Georgetown, IL40 mi
- Savanna, IL41 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 Darlington; signal estimates ignore terrain.