TV channels & antenna towers in Franklin, Wisconsin
Franklin has 22 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 19 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WDMW-LD, 9.4 miles to the NW.
Network channels in Franklin
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCWTMJ-TVNBC | 4 | 16 mi | 26° NNE | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| IONWPXE-TVION | 55 | 16 mi | 27° NNE | Strong | Kenosha, WI |
| FOXWITIFox | 6 | 16 mi | 27° NNE | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| CWWVTVCW | 18 | 16 mi | 25° NNE | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| MeTVWBME-CDMeTV | 41.1 | 16 mi | 19° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| CBSWDJT-TVCBS | 58 | 16 mi | 19° NNE | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo | 63 | 16 mi | 19° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| ABCWISN-TVABC | 12 | 16 mi | 20° NNE | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| TBNWWRS-TVTrinity | 52 | 45 mi | 327° NNW | Good | Mayville, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Franklin
Franklin, Wisconsin has a population of about 36,200. Our map shows 22 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 12 full-power, 2 Class A, 6 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.
18 of them are within 25 miles of Franklin, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 4 are more than 45 miles out. Seven of the 9 network stations in range are licensed to Milwaukee, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Milwaukee's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 12 (WISN-TV), CBS on channel 58 (WDJT-TV), NBC on channel 4 (WTMJ-TV), Fox on channel 6 (WITI), CW on channel 18 (WVTV), ION on channel 55 (WPXE-TV), Telemundo on channel 63 (WYTU-LD), MeTV on channel 41.1 (WBME-CD) and Trinity on channel 52 (WWRS-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 5 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 Franklin
Point your antenna NNE, at about 23°. The main network towers for Franklin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Seven network stations, WTMJ-TV, WPXE-TV, WITI, WVTV and WBME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 16 miles northeast of Franklin (26° NNE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Franklin at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Franklin, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Franklin
The farthest main network tower for Franklin is WISN-TV (ABC), 16 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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 Franklin
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDMW-LDLow power | 9.4 mi | 306° NW | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| WTAS-LDLow power | 9.4 mi | 306° NW | Good | Waukesha, WI |
| WVCY-TVFull power | 16 mi | 27° NNE | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMKE-CDClass A | 16 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMVSFull power | 16 mi | 25° NNE | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMVTFull power | 16 mi | 25° NNE | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| WTSJ-LDLow power | 16 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| WIWNFull power | 16 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Fond Du Lac, WI |
| WPVS-LDLow power | 16 mi | 25° NNE | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMLW-TVFull power | 16 mi | 19° NNE | Fair | Racine, WI |
| W35DY-DTranslator | 61 mi | 251° WSW | Poor | Stoughton, WI |
| WMWI-LDLow power | 65 mi | 288° WNW | Poor | Verona, WI |
| W21EF-DTranslator | 65 mi | 345° NNW | Poor | Fond Du Lac, WI |
How Franklin compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Franklin ranks 97th of 423 places in Wisconsin: more than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 16 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 Milwaukee, 12 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Franklin: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 20° NNE, the direction of WISN-TV (ABC), 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 19 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 Franklin, WI?
ABC is on channel 12 from WISN-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles NNE of Franklin. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Franklin, WI?
CBS is on channel 58 from WDJT-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles NNE of Franklin. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Franklin, WI?
NBC is on channel 4 from WTMJ-TV, broadcasting from 16 miles NNE of Franklin. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Franklin, WI?
Fox is on channel 6 from WITI, broadcasting from 16 miles NNE of Franklin. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Franklin, WI?
CW is on channel 18 from WVTV, broadcasting from 16 miles NNE of Franklin. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Franklin?
22 transmitters within 70 miles of Franklin; around 19 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 Franklin?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 23°. The main network towers for Franklin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Franklin?
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 Franklin?
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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Franklin?
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
- Hales Corners3.4 mi
- Greendale4.2 mi
- Greenfield5.2 mi
- Muskego5.2 mi
- New Berlin7.0 mi
- Wind Lake7.3 mi
- Caledonia8.0 mi
- Oak Creek8.9 mi
- West Allis9.0 mi
- Tichigan9.1 mi
- South Milwaukee9.1 mi
- Saint Francis9.8 mi
- Cudahy10 mi
- Elm Grove11 mi
- Wauwatosa11 mi
- Milwaukee12 mi
- Brookfield12 mi
- Waterford12 mi
- Waukesha13 mi
- Mukwonago15 mi
- Sturtevant15 mi
- Shorewood16 mi
- Mount Pleasant16 mi
- Whitefish Bay17 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 Franklin; signal estimates ignore terrain.