TV channels & antenna towers in Shawano, Wisconsin
Shawano has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W26EE-D, 23 miles to the WNW.
Network channels in Shawano
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABCWBAY-TVABC | 2 | 39 mi | 131° SE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| FOXWLUK-TVFox | 11 | 40 mi | 130° SE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| CWWCWFCW | 14 | 40 mi | 130° SE | Good | Suring, WI |
| NBCWGBA-TVNBC | 26 | 43 mi | 133° SE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| CBSWFRV-TVCBS | 5 | 44 mi | 135° SE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| TLMWMEITelemundo | 31.6 | 44 mi | 135° SE | Good | Shawano, WI |
| IONWTPX-TVION | 46 | 45 mi | 296° WNW | Fair | Antigo, WI |
| FOXWZAW-LDFox | 33 | 46 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Wausau, WI |
| CWWSAW-TVCW | 7.4 | 54 mi | 281° W | Fair | Wausau, WI |
| ABCWAOWABC | 9 | 54 mi | 281° W | Fair | Wausau, WI |
| ABCWMOWABC | 4.2 | 56 mi | 346° NNW | Poor | Crandon, WI |
| NBCWJFW-TVNBC | 12 | 68 mi | 335° NNW | Weak | Rhinelander, WI |
Over-the-air TV in Shawano
Shawano, Wisconsin has a population of about 9,130. There are 26 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 14 full-power, 1 Class A, 8 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
1 of them is within 25 miles of Shawano, 12 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 13 are more than 45 miles out. Four of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Green Bay, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Green Bay's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 2 (WBAY-TV), CBS on channel 5 (WFRV-TV), NBC on channel 26 (WGBA-TV), Fox on channel 11 (WLUK-TV), CW on channel 14 (WCWF), ION on channel 46 (WTPX-TV) and Telemundo on channel 31.6 (WMEI). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good 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 Shawano
Point your antenna SE, at about 132°. The main network towers for Shawano sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WBAY-TV, WLUK-TV and WCWF, transmit from the same tower site about 39 miles southeast of Shawano (131° SE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Shawano at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Shawano, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Shawano
The farthest main network tower for Shawano is WFRV-TV (CBS), 44 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic 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 Shawano
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W26EE-DLow power | 23 mi | 303° WNW | Fair | Wittenberg, WI |
| W33EW-DTranslator | 32 mi | 9° N | Weak | Rhinelander, WI |
| WPNE-TVFull power | 39 mi | 131° SE | Good | Green Bay, WI |
| WGBD-LDLow power | 40 mi | 130° SE | Poor | Green Bay, WI |
| W30BU-DLow power | 42 mi | 133° SE | Poor | Green Bay, WI |
| WACY-TVFull power | 43 mi | 133° SE | Fair | Appleton, WI |
| W36EI-DLow power | 46 mi | 295° WNW | Poor | Wausau, WI |
| W27AU-DLow power | 52 mi | 279° W | Poor | Wausau, WI |
| WHRM-TVFull power | 54 mi | 281° W | Good | Wausau, WI |
| WLWK-CDClass A | 61 mi | 82° E | Poor | Sturgeon Bay, WI |
| WRJT-LDLow power | 62 mi | 261° W | Poor | Wausau, WI |
| W30DZ-DTranslator | 66 mi | 8° N | Poor | Fence, WI |
| W21EF-DTranslator | 69 mi | 170° S | Poor | Fond Du Lac, WI |
| W31EV-DLow power | 70 mi | 253° WSW | Poor | Stevens Point, WI |
How Shawano compares with the rest of Wisconsin
With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Shawano ranks 195th of 423 places in Wisconsin: more 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 Green Bay, 34 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Shawano: 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 135° SE, the direction of WFRV-TV (CBS), 44 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 13 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 Shawano, WI?
ABC is on channel 2 from WBAY-TV, broadcasting from 39 miles SE of Shawano. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Shawano, WI?
CBS is on channel 5 from WFRV-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles SE of Shawano. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Shawano, WI?
NBC is on channel 26 from WGBA-TV, broadcasting from 43 miles SE of Shawano. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Shawano, WI?
Fox is on channel 11 from WLUK-TV, broadcasting from 40 miles SE of Shawano. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Shawano, WI?
CW is on channel 14 from WCWF, broadcasting from 40 miles SE of Shawano. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Shawano?
26 transmitters within 70 miles of Shawano; around 13 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 Shawano?
Point your antenna SE, at about 132°. The main network towers for Shawano sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Shawano?
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.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Shawano?
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 Shawano?
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
- Clintonville13 mi
- Pulaski20 mi
- Oconto Falls24 mi
- Manawa27 mi
- Wittenberg28 mi
- New London28 mi
- Suamico30 mi
- Hobart30 mi
- Howard30 mi
- Iola32 mi
- Ashwaubenon34 mi
- Green Bay34 mi
- De Pere35 mi
- Allouez36 mi
- Antigo36 mi
- Oconto37 mi
- Appleton37 mi
- Little Chute38 mi
- Waupaca38 mi
- Kimberly38 mi
- Bevent38 mi
- Kaukauna39 mi
- Harrison41 mi
- Menasha41 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 Shawano; signal estimates ignore terrain.