TV channels & antenna towers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee has 21 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 WPXE-TV (ION), 3.6 miles to the N.
Network channels in Milwaukee
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONWPXE-TVION | 55 | 3.6 mi | 7° N | Strong | Kenosha, WI |
| FOXWITIFox | 6 | 3.6 mi | 7° N | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| NBCWTMJ-TVNBC | 4 | 3.6 mi | 4° N | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| CWWVTVCW | 18 | 4.0 mi | 1° N | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| ABCWISN-TVABC | 12 | 5.1 mi | 348° NNW | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| MeTVWBME-CDMeTV | 41.1 | 5.2 mi | 346° NNW | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| CBSWDJT-TVCBS | 58 | 5.2 mi | 346° NNW | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo | 63 | 5.2 mi | 346° NNW | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| TBNWWRS-TVTrinity | 52 | 42 mi | 312° NW | Good | Mayville, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Milwaukee
With roughly 600,000 residents, Milwaukee is a city in Wisconsin. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 21 licensed TV transmitters: 12 full-power, 2 Class A, 6 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 19 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 17 at good or strong strength.
18 of them are within 25 miles of Milwaukee, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are more than 45 miles out. Milwaukee is a broadcast hub in its own right: seven of the 9 network stations in range are licensed here.
The strongest network signals here 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 (good 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 Milwaukee
Point your antenna N, at about 356°. The main network towers for Milwaukee sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Seven network stations, WPXE-TV, WITI, WTMJ-TV, WVTV and WISN-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 3.6 miles north of Milwaukee (7° N). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Milwaukee at fair strength or better, 88% 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 Milwaukee, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Milwaukee
The farthest main network tower for Milwaukee is WDJT-TV (CBS), 5.2 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.
WPXE-TV is only 3.6 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 Milwaukee
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WVCY-TVFull power | 3.6 mi | 7° N | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMKE-CDClass A | 4.0 mi | 2° N | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMVSFull power | 4.0 mi | 2° N | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMVTFull power | 4.0 mi | 2° N | Strong | Milwaukee, WI |
| WTSJ-LDLow power | 4.0 mi | 2° N | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| WIWNFull power | 4.0 mi | 2° N | Good | Fond Du Lac, WI |
| WPVS-LDLow power | 4.0 mi | 2° N | Good | Milwaukee, WI |
| WMLW-TVFull power | 5.2 mi | 346° NNW | Good | Racine, WI |
| WDMW-LDLow power | 15 mi | 251° WSW | Fair | Milwaukee, WI |
| WTAS-LDLow power | 15 mi | 251° WSW | Fair | Waukesha, WI |
| W21EF-DTranslator | 58 mi | 336° NNW | Poor | Fond Du Lac, WI |
| WMWI-LDLow power | 69 mi | 278° W | Poor | Verona, WI |
How Milwaukee compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 19 stations at fair strength or better, Milwaukee ranks 97th of 423 places in Wisconsin: more than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 3.6 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
30% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna.
Setting up an antenna in Milwaukee: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 346° NNW, the direction of WDJT-TV (CBS), 5.2 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 Milwaukee, WI?
ABC is on channel 12 from WISN-TV, broadcasting from 5.1 miles NNW of Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Milwaukee, WI?
CBS is on channel 58 from WDJT-TV, broadcasting from 5.2 miles NNW of Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Milwaukee, WI?
NBC is on channel 4 from WTMJ-TV, broadcasting from 3.6 miles N of Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Milwaukee, WI?
Fox is on channel 6 from WITI, broadcasting from 3.6 miles N of Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Milwaukee, WI?
CW is on channel 18 from WVTV, broadcasting from 4.0 miles N of Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Milwaukee?
21 transmitters within 70 miles of Milwaukee; 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 Milwaukee?
Point your antenna N, at about 356°. The main network towers for Milwaukee sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee?
WPXE-TV is only 3.6 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 Milwaukee?
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
- Shorewood3.6 mi
- Saint Francis5.1 mi
- Whitefish Bay5.2 mi
- Wauwatosa5.2 mi
- West Allis5.3 mi
- Cudahy5.9 mi
- Glendale6.8 mi
- Greenfield7.6 mi
- Greendale8.2 mi
- Fox Point8.2 mi
- Elm Grove8.7 mi
- Brown Deer9.1 mi
- South Milwaukee9.2 mi
- Hales Corners10 mi
- Brookfield10 mi
- Oak Creek11 mi
- New Berlin11 mi
- Franklin12 mi
- Mequon14 mi
- Menomonee Falls14 mi
- Muskego15 mi
- Caledonia16 mi
- Waukesha17 mi
- Germantown17 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 Milwaukee; signal estimates ignore terrain.