Why am I seeing a sign-in button on Milwaukee PBS' website now? 

With a Single Sign-On account, you no longer need to create separate accounts for  PBS.org, the PBS App, NPR.org, the NPR app, or other national accounts. You need only  create one account and can use that across all public media platforms. Now with Single  Sign-on you can use that same login and password on MilwaukeePBS.org!  

Does it cost anything? 

Nope! A Single Sign-On account is free! 

I just created an account on MilwaukeePBS.org. Can I use that account elsewhere? 

Yes! An SSO account created at MilwaukeePBS.org can be used on PBS.org, NPR.org and the  PBS/NPR apps. When you login to those platforms for the first time you’ll be prompted to  agree to their Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and complete a one-time verification – then  you’re all set!  

What if I already have a PBS Passport account? 

Great! You’ll be able to log right in to MilwaukeePBS.org using that same account. 

What if I no longer want my Milwaukee PBS account?  

You can delete your Milwaukee PBS login account directly through the login experience. This will not  delete or cancel your Milwaukee PBS membership. To cancel your Milwaukee PBS membership please  contact milwpbs@matc.edu for assistance. 

What if I have an NPR account? 

You can use that same account to log in to MilwaukeePBS.org.

I’m an NPR+ member, can I use that login? 

Not at this time, though we hope to be able to implement NPR+ sometime in the future. For  the time being, you will still need to use your unique NPR+ account to access NPR+  content.

Tips for TV Antenna Shoppers

The antennas we tested ranged in price from $10 to more than $100—and we found little correlation between price and performance. The antenna that pulled in the most stations for most of our testers cost $35, and several pricier models were in the lower half of our rankings.

We included some amplified TV antennas in our review. These models can boost signal strength to help pull in stations that might otherwise be on the fringe. But our tests showed that amplified antennas weren’t always more effective than nonamplified models—they can also amplify noise and distortion, and overload reception from closer stations.

The number of channels you receive will depend on your location and environment, as well as the placement of the antenna in your home. You may need to try several models before finding the best antenna for your needs. That’s why we strongly recommend purchasing from a retailer with a no-hassle return policy. Also, it’s a good idea to regularly rescan for channels because you might have missed some the last time you scanned. And use our tips on where to place your antenna to get the best reception.

How TV Antennas were tested*

Consumer Reports had 10 testers evaluate each of the indoor TV antennas at their homes, which were scattered around the New York tristate area. Most locations were within a 40-mile radius of the Empire State Building in Manhattan, but one was 64 miles away.

Every tester used the antennas on clear days in two spots: on or facing a window, and inside a room near the TV. Signal strength generally is stronger near a window, and that’s the result we used when calculating our rankings. We also tested performance when the antenna was placed near the TV, because people don’t always have an easily accessible window.

The antennas we tested pulled in both VHF (channels 2 to 13) and UHF (14 to 51) signals. In addition, we included some amplified TV antennas in our review. For these models, we turned on the amplifier, and if there were variable settings, we used the maximum setting.

We ranked the antennas based on the number of primary RF (radio frequency) broadcast stations received across our 10 test locations. To earn a mark for reception, a station had to have a stable, viewable TV picture. In our four-year history of testing these antennas, we detected a total of 34 UHF and 11 VHF stations across all our test sites, but each location received just a subset of these stations. (In the most recent test update, our testers collectively received 10 UHF and four VHF TV stations.)

Regardless of which antenna was being used, one of our test locations wasn’t able to pull in any stations, another was able to pull in a maximum of three, and yet another was able to pull in 15 stations.

But that RF channel count understates the amount of content an antenna can give you. The tester who picked up 20 stations was able to tune to 73 subchannels.

“Unlike the old days, when tuning to a station yielded only one channel, many stations now offer multiple subchannels that provide a greater variety of programming,” Ciacci says. Such subchannels often include a mix of vintage TV shows, nature programs, weather, and foreign-language programming.

*Information in this section is directly from the Consumer Reports website.

Winegard FlatWave Amped FL5500A

AMPLIFIED: YES -  Percentage of Stations Received: 80%

PERCENTAGE OF VHF/UHF STATIONS RECEIVED
VHF 50% | UHF 90%

The FlatWave FL5500A is among the top antennas in our ratings. Like many newer models, it has a superthin, flat design that lets you mount it on a wall or place it on a window using the included adhesive strips. Like other amplified models, it needs power, but it gives you the flexibility of either using a TV’s USB port or plugging into a wall outlet. This model comes with a 3-foot USB cable, plus a long 18.5-foot coaxial cable. Because it’s hardwired, you may have to coil the cable and hide it behind the TV or in a media console. This antenna has a claimed 50-mile range, according to the manufacturer.

Approximate price: $60
Buy at: Amazon, Home Depot, and Winegard.com

ClearStream Eclipse Amplified 

AMPLIFIED: YES - Percentage of Stations Received: 80%

PERCENTAGE OF VHF/UHF STATIONS RECEIVED
VHF 50% | UHF 80%

Like many other models, the ClearStream Eclipse has a paper-

thin design, but it’s unusual in that it’s circular, with a large cutout in the center. It’s probably the least obtrusive of the models we tested, especially for window placement, because the hole allows light to pass through. The antenna comes with a strip of sticky tape that lets you mount it easily to a flat surface such as a wall or window. This model has an inline amplifier, so it requires AC power, and the company claims it can receive signals within a 50-mile radius. The package includes a 15-foot coaxial cable, a 5-foot USB cable, and a USB power adapter. An unamplified version costs $15 less and has a claimed range of 35 miles.

Approximate price: $40
Buy at: Amazon and Antennas Direct

Antop Mini Big Boy AT-406BV

AMPLIFIED: YES - Percentage of Stations Received: 70%

PERCENTAGE OF VHF/UHF STATIONS RECEIVED
VHF 50% | UHF 80%

This multidirectional antenna from Antop is designed for either

 indoor or outdoor use. (It comes with metal support brackets for pole mounting.) It has an upright rectangular design, with telescoping VHF rods that come out of either side. This model has an inline amplifier, which has a switch that lets you choose either short- or long-range reception. The antenna has a weather-resistant UV coating, and comes with filters that the manufacturer claims can prevent 4G and LTE cell signals from interfering. It also comes with an AC/DC power adapter and a long 33-foot coaxial cable. Antop claims a reception range of as much as 80 miles when you pair it with the amplifier.

Approximate price: $85 to $119
Buy at: Amazon, AntopUSA, and Walmart