What channel is CBS on antenna in Champaign and Springfield-Decatur?
CBS is channel 3.1 (WCIA).
It broadcasts on RF 34 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put CBS on WCIA within antenna reach of about 73% of people in the Champaign and Springfield-Decatur market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 43% (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 WCIA tower and handle UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary .
Where CBS 3.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WCIA RF 34 · UHF
WCIA's own transmitter.
Which way to point for CBS around Champaign and Springfield-Decatur
Aim at the WCIA tower . It stands apart from the main tower site, so it may need its own aim.
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign, IL | west (267°) | 9 mi |
| Bloomington, IL | southeast (133°) | 37 mi |
| Jacksonville, IL | east-northeast (74°) | 98 mi |
| Chatham, IL | east-northeast (65°) | 72 mi |
| Effingham, IL | north (4°) | 68 mi |
| Sherman, IL | east-northeast (76°) | 63 mi |
The antenna you need for CBS in Champaign and Springfield-Decatur
CBS 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 Champaign and Springfield-Decatur · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
If 3.1 doesn't come in
CBS is also on:
- 49.2 WCIX
More free channels from WCIA
- 3.2 network unknown
- 3.3 Bounce TV
- 3.4 Grit
Other networks in Champaign and Springfield-Decatur
All 41 antenna channels in Champaign and Springfield-Decatur
Questions about CBS in Champaign and Springfield-Decatur
What channel is CBS on antenna in Champaign and Springfield-Decatur?
Why did CBS 3.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for CBS in Champaign and Springfield-Decatur?
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