What channel is CBS on antenna in Madison?
CBS is channel 3.1 (WISC-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 11 (VHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put CBS on WISC-TV within antenna reach of about 89% of people in the Madison market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 0% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.
Updated from FCC data
Lost CBS? Rescan your TV first
Most missing channels come back after a Rescan Asking your TV to search for channels again. Fixes most missing channels. More in the glossary . If CBS still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WISC-TV tower and handle VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary .
Where CBS 3.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WISC-TV RF 11 · VHF
WISC-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for CBS around Madison
Aim at the WISC-TV tower , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Prairie, WI | west-southwest (240°) | 18 mi |
| Fitchburg, WI | northwest (311°) | 7 mi |
| Verona, WI | north (3°) | 4 mi |
| Waunakee, WI | south-southwest (208°) | 10 mi |
| Stoughton, WI | west-northwest (300°) | 18 mi |
| Baraboo, WI | south-southeast (160°) | 30 mi |
| Cottage Grove, WI | west (261°) | 17 mi |
| Mount Horeb, WI | east-northeast (71°) | 11 mi |
The antenna you need for CBS in Madison
CBS reaches ordinary TVs on VHF, so choose an antenna rated for VHF as well as UHF; many flat indoor antennas are weak on VHF. Close to the towers an indoor antenna by a window often works; farther out, height matters most: attic beats window, roof beats attic.
The best antenna for all of Madison · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
More free channels from WISC-TV
- 3.2 Independent with MyNetworkTV
- 3.3 Dabl
- 3.4 QVC
- 3.5 HSN
- 3.6 Grit
Other networks in Madison
Questions about CBS in Madison
What channel is CBS on antenna in Madison?
Why did CBS 3.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for CBS in Madison?
Where this comes from
- Stations, towers, channels and power: FCC Licensing and Management System (LMS) public database, data of .
- Networks and subchannels: our affiliations dataset, built from Wikipedia (used under CC BY-SA 4.0), the network field stations file with the FCC, and station websites; checked . Credits.
- Towns and distances: US Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 city population estimates (SUB-EST2025) and 2026 Gazetteer place coordinates; distances are straight-line from each town's Census centre point.
- Market area: Market area: counties assigned by FCC service-contour coverage of each market's full-power stations (FCC LMS market list, Census 2020).
Updated How we work this out