What channel is ION on antenna in Madison?
ION is channel 57.1 (WIFS).
It broadcasts on RF 21 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Updated from FCC data
Lost ION? 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 ION still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WIFS tower and handle UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary .
Where ION 57.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WIFS RF 21 · UHF
WIFS's own transmitter.
Which way to point for ION around Madison
Aim at the WIFS 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 ION in Madison
ION reaches ordinary TVs on UHF, so any antenna that picks up UHF will do. 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
Other networks in Madison
Questions about ION in Madison
What channel is ION on antenna in Madison?
Why did ION 57.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for ION 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