In a followup to a recent Ask NorthPine column, I thought I’d look at larger Upper Midwest communities that are missing over-the-air reception of one of the major broadcast networks.
To be clear, all of these locations can receive the major networks via cable, satellite, or streaming providers, but viewers using a conventional rooftop antenna would not be able to receive one of the networks during normal reception conditions. For purposes of this list, I’m using RabbitEars’ signal search map.
| City | Population | Missing OTA networks | Notes |
| Bemidji, MN | 15,434 | NBC | Formerly served by translator |
| Brainerd, MN | 14,395 | NBC | Formerly served by translator |
| Devils Lake, ND | 7,141 | CBS, FOX, NBC | Formerly served by FOX translator |
| Dickinson, ND | 25,679 | ABC | Formerly served by translator and digital subchannel |
| Dubuque, IA | 59,667 | ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS | Some reception is possible in higher terrain areas, but not downtown. KFXB-TV, the city’s former ABC and then FOX affiliate, now carries CTN. Cedar Rapids and Waterloo stations maintain news bureaus in the city. |
| Escanaba, MI | 12,616 | ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC | The city’s former CBS affiliate now carries MyNetworkTV. It was also previously served by some translators and analog VHF signals. Reception of PBS is theoretically possible but difficult. |
| Grand Marais, MN | 1,351 | ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS | Formerly served by translators |
| Ironwood, MI | 5,045 | ABC, CBS, NBC | |
| Jamestown, ND | 15,849 | ABC, CBS, NBC | |
| Little Falls, MN | 9,140 | CBS, NBC | |
| Mankato, MN | 58,763 | ABC, PBS | Reception of translators from 30 miles away may be possible for some viewers |
| Rice Lake, WI | 9,040 | CBS | |
| Spooner, WI | 2,682 | ABC, CBS, NBC | Possible deep fringe reception of FOX, PBS |
| Williston, ND | 29,160 | ABC | Formerly served by translator and digital subchannel |
You can see a common theme above: In many cases, reception used to be possible via translators that have since been shut down. I explained why translators have waned in that recent Ask NorthPine column.
In some cases, communities fell off the “digital cliff” in 2009 because they were just close enough to receive deep fringe VHF signals but too far away to receive digital UHF signals.
In reality, the reception situation is actually be worse than shown above for many viewers since most people use indoor antennas. That limits reception in communities that are on the edge of coverage areas, such as St. Cloud, MN.
These are just a few examples. You can use the RabbitEars signal search map to check reception in more communities.
This list was updated on May 22 to add Escanaba.