TV channels & antenna towers in Princeton, Wisconsin

Princeton has 28 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W29ET-D, 25 miles to the WNW.

Open Princeton in the live finder

28TV transmitters within 70 miles

8networks over the air

25 mito the closest tower

1,185population

Network channels in Princeton

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
TBNWWRS-TVTrinity	52	41 mi	134° SE	Good	Mayville, WI
CWWMTVCW	15.2	58 mi	198° SSW	Fair	Madison, WI
FOXWMSN-TVFox	47	59 mi	201° SSW	Good	Madison, WI
IONWIFSION	57	59 mi	201° SSW	Fair	Janesville, WI
ABCWKOWABC	27	59 mi	201° SSW	Good	Madison, WI
CBSWISC-TVCBS	3	59 mi	201° SSW	Fair	Madison, WI
CBSWFRV-TVCBS	5	66 mi	59° ENE	Fair	Green Bay, WI
TLMWMEITelemundo	31.6	66 mi	59° ENE	Fair	Shawano, WI
NBCWGBA-TVNBC	26	67 mi	58° ENE	Fair	Green Bay, WI
ABCWBAY-TVABC	2	68 mi	55° NE	Fair	Green Bay, WI
FOXWLUK-TVFox	11	68 mi	55° NE	Weak	Green Bay, WI
CWWCWFCW	14	68 mi	55° NE	Weak	Suring, WI

Over-the-air TV in Princeton

With roughly 1,190 residents, Princeton is a small community in Wisconsin. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 28 licensed TV transmitters: 15 full-power, 1 Class A, 10 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 3 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 25 farther out. Four of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Madison, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Madison's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 27 (WKOW), CBS on channel 5 (WFRV-TV), NBC on channel 26 (WGBA-TV), Fox on channel 47 (WMSN-TV), CW on channel 15.2 (WMTV), ION on channel 57 (WIFS), Telemundo on channel 31.6 (WMEI) and Trinity on channel 52 (WWRS-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 3 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 Princeton

The main network towers around Princeton are in different directions: ABC 201° SSW (59 mi), CBS 59° ENE (66 mi), NBC 58° ENE (67 mi) and Fox 201° SSW (59 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Four network stations, WMSN-TV, WIFS, WKOW and WISC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 59 miles south of Princeton (201° SSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Princeton at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.

WFRV-TV (CBS) and WGBA-TV (NBC) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Princeton. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Princeton

The farthest main network tower for Princeton is WGBA-TV (NBC), 67 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Princeton

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W29ET-DTranslator	25 mi	298° WNW	Fair	Coloma, WI
W21EF-DTranslator	38 mi	95° E	Poor	Fond Du Lac, WI
WMWI-LDLow power	48 mi	188° S	Poor	Verona, WI
WZCK-LDLow power	58 mi	198° SSW	Poor	Madison, WI
W23BW-DClass A	58 mi	198° SSW	Poor	Madison, WI
WMWD-LDLow power	58 mi	198° SSW	Poor	Madison, WI
WHA-TVFull power	59 mi	201° SSW	Fair	Madison, WI
W31EV-DLow power	60 mi	317° NW	Poor	Stevens Point, WI
WRJT-LDLow power	66 mi	327° NNW	Poor	Wausau, WI
W30BU-DLow power	66 mi	58° ENE	Poor	Green Bay, WI
WACY-TVFull power	67 mi	58° ENE	Poor	Appleton, WI
W25FT-DLow power	67 mi	271° W	Poor	Baraboo, WI
W22FK-DLow power	67 mi	271° W	Poor	Baraboo, WI
W36FN-DLow power	67 mi	271° W	Poor	Baraboo, WI
WPNE-TVFull power	68 mi	55° NE	Weak	Green Bay, WI
WGBD-LDLow power	68 mi	55° NE	Poor	Green Bay, WI

How Princeton compares with the rest of Wisconsin

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Princeton ranks 209th of 423 places in Wisconsin: the same as the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 41 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.

26% of Wisconsin's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Oshkosh, 31 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Princeton: step by step

Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
Point it toward 58° ENE, the direction of WGBA-TV (NBC), 67 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 12 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 Princeton, WI?

ABC is on channel 27 from WKOW, broadcasting from 59 miles SSW of Princeton. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Princeton, WI?

CBS is on channel 5 from WFRV-TV, broadcasting from 66 miles ENE of Princeton. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Princeton, WI?

NBC is on channel 26 from WGBA-TV, broadcasting from 67 miles ENE of Princeton. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Princeton, WI?

Fox is on channel 47 from WMSN-TV, broadcasting from 59 miles SSW of Princeton. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Princeton, WI?

CW is on channel 15.2 from WMTV, broadcasting from 58 miles SSW of Princeton. Estimated signal: fair.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Princeton?

28 transmitters within 70 miles of Princeton; around 12 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Princeton?

What kind of antenna do I need in Princeton?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below. The towers are spread over about 143° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Princeton?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Princeton?

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

More: all TV stations in Wisconsin · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Princeton; signal estimates ignore terrain.