TV channels & antenna towers in West Milwaukee, Wisconsin

West Milwaukee 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 WTMJ-TV (NBC), 6.5 miles to the NNE.

22TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
6.5 mito the closest tower
4,212population

Network channels in West Milwaukee

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
NBCWTMJ-TVNBC4 6.5 mi33° NNE StrongMilwaukee, WI
IONWPXE-TVION55 6.6 mi35° NE StrongKenosha, WI
FOXWITIFox6 6.6 mi35° NE StrongMilwaukee, WI
CWWVTVCW18 6.7 mi30° NNE StrongMilwaukee, WI
MeTVWBME-CDMeTV41.1 7.2 mi17° NNE GoodMilwaukee, WI
CBSWDJT-TVCBS58 7.2 mi17° NNE StrongMilwaukee, WI
TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo63 7.2 mi17° NNE GoodMilwaukee, WI
ABCWISN-TVABC12 7.2 mi18° NNE StrongMilwaukee, WI
TBNWWRS-TVTrinity52 40 mi317° NW GoodMayville, WI

Over-the-air TV in West Milwaukee

West Milwaukee is a town of about 4,210 people in Wisconsin. There are 22 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 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 18 at good or strong strength.

18 of them are within 25 miles of West Milwaukee, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 3 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 (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 West Milwaukee

Point your antenna NNE, at about 26°. The main network towers for West Milwaukee 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 6.5 miles northeast of West Milwaukee (33° NNE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 8 full-power and Class A network signals that reach West Milwaukee 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 West Milwaukee, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for West Milwaukee

The farthest main network tower for West Milwaukee is WISN-TV (ABC), 7.2 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

WTMJ-TV is only 6.5 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 West Milwaukee

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WVCY-TVFull power6.6 mi 35° NEStrongMilwaukee, WI
WMKE-CDClass A6.7 mi 31° NNEGoodMilwaukee, WI
WMVSFull power6.7 mi 31° NNEGoodMilwaukee, WI
WMVTFull power6.7 mi 31° NNEGoodMilwaukee, WI
WTSJ-LDLow power6.7 mi 31° NNEGoodMilwaukee, WI
WIWNFull power6.7 mi 31° NNEGoodFond Du Lac, WI
WPVS-LDLow power6.7 mi 31° NNEFairMilwaukee, WI
WMLW-TVFull power7.2 mi 17° NNEGoodRacine, WI
WDMW-LDLow power11 mi 254° WSWGoodMilwaukee, WI
WTAS-LDLow power11 mi 254° WSWGoodWaukesha, WI
W21EF-DTranslator58 mi 340° NNWPoorFond Du Lac, WI
WMWI-LDLow power66 mi 280° WPoorVerona, WI
W35DY-DTranslator67 mi 245° WSWPoorStoughton, WI

How West Milwaukee compares with the rest of Wisconsin

With 19 stations at fair strength or better, West Milwaukee ranks 97th of 423 places in Wisconsin: more than the typical Wisconsin town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 6.5 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 West Allis, 1.8 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in West Milwaukee: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 18° NNE, the direction of WISN-TV (ABC), 7.2 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. 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.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in West Milwaukee, WI?

ABC is on channel 12 from WISN-TV, broadcasting from 7.2 miles NNE of West Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in West Milwaukee, WI?

CBS is on channel 58 from WDJT-TV, broadcasting from 7.2 miles NNE of West Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in West Milwaukee, WI?

NBC is on channel 4 from WTMJ-TV, broadcasting from 6.5 miles NNE of West Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in West Milwaukee, WI?

Fox is on channel 6 from WITI, broadcasting from 6.6 miles NE of West Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in West Milwaukee, WI?

CW is on channel 18 from WVTV, broadcasting from 6.7 miles NNE of West Milwaukee. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in West Milwaukee?

22 transmitters within 70 miles of West 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 West Milwaukee?

Point your antenna NNE, at about 26°. The main network towers for West Milwaukee sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in West 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 West Milwaukee?

WTMJ-TV is only 6.5 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 West 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

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