TV channels & antenna towers in Rutland, Wisconsin

Rutland is a small community of about 2,060 people in Wisconsin. There are 22 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 12 full-power, 1 Class A, 8 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.

11 of them are within 25 miles of Rutland, 6 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 5 are more than 45 miles out. Five of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, IL, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford's stations.

For the networks, the best local options 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), Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD) and Trinity on channel 52 (WWRS-TV). 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.

The main network towers around Rutland are in different directions: ABC 323° NW (15 mi), CBS 323° NW (15 mi), NBC 172° S (41 mi) and Fox 323° NW (15 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 15 miles northwest of Rutland (323° NW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Rutland at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Rutland, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for Rutland is WREX (NBC), 41 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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.

With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Rutland ranks 172nd of 423 places in Wisconsin: more than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 14 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 Fitchburg, 8.3 miles away.