Antenna TV channels in Chicago
34 stations broadcast free TV around Chicago, carrying 97 channels including Subchannel An extra channel a station sends alongside its main one, like 2.2 or 2.3. More in the glossary . 12 of the 16 full-power stations transmit from one site, so in most of the area one aimed antenna picks up most of them.
Updated from FCC data
How well antenna TV works around Chicago
For the big networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS) that reach each home, an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 95% of people in the Chicago market; about 5% need an attic or roof antenna. A typical home gets about 95 free channels from 32 stations, some from neighbouring markets.
Estimates from our terrain predictions for an antenna about 30 ft up, adjusted for indoor use. They are not yet checked against real channel scans; VHF channels never count as indoor. How we work it out
Each network's reach
| Network | Reaches | Indoor likely |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | 99+% | 98% |
| CBS | 99+% | 96% |
| NBC | 99+% | 95% |
| FOX | 99+% | 97% |
| PBS | 99+% | 96% |
| The CW | 99+% | 96% |
| Univision | 99% | 92% |
| Telemundo | 99% | 95% |
Share of the market's 9,667k people, across its 422 ZIP codes.
Town by town
| Town | Antenna | Point | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago ZIP 60608 | Indoor likely | northeast (40°) | 95 |
| Aurora ZIP 60505 | Indoor likely | east-northeast (76°) | 107 |
| Naperville ZIP 60540 | Indoor likely | east-northeast (73°) | 95 |
| Joliet ZIP 60436 | Indoor likely | northeast (44°) | 95 |
| Elgin ZIP 60123 | Indoor likely | east-southeast (107°) | 95 |
| Waukegan ZIP 60085 | Indoor likely | south-southeast (161°) | 138 |
| Cicero ZIP 60804 | Indoor likely | east-northeast (72°) | 95 |
| Schaumburg ZIP 60193 | Indoor likely | east-southeast (111°) | 95 |
| Evanston ZIP 60201 | Indoor likely | south-southeast (166°) | 142 |
| Arlington Heights ZIP 60004 | Indoor likely | southeast (132°) | 130 |
| Hammond ZIP 46320 | Indoor likely | north-northwest (341°, most) | 100 |
| Bolingbrook ZIP 60490 | Indoor likely | east-northeast (62°) | 95 |
| Gary ZIP 46402 | Indoor likely | northwest (322°, most) | 111 |
| Skokie ZIP 60076 | Indoor likely | south-southeast (155°) | 93 |
| Palatine ZIP 60067 | Indoor likely | southeast (126°) | 126 |
For the ZIP nearest each town's centre. Tap a town for its full channel list.
What channel is each network on in Chicago?
| Network | Channel | Station |
|---|---|---|
 CBS | 2.1 | WBBM-TV |
 NBC | 5.1 | WMAQ-TV |
 ABC | 7.1 | WLS-TV |
 FOX | 32.1 | WFLD |
 PBS | 11.1 also 56.1 | WTTW |
 The CW | 9.1 | WGN-TV |
 MyNetworkTV | 50.1 | WPWR-TV |
 ION | 38.1 | WCPX-TV |
 Telemundo | 44.1 | WSNS-TV |
 Univision | 66.1 | WGBO-DT |
 UniMás | 60.1 | WXFT-DT |
The best TV antenna for Chicago
Get an antenna rated for both VHF and UHF and aim it at the main tower site, where 12 of the 16 full-power stations transmit. Across most of the area an indoor antenna is likely enough (about 95% of people, by our estimate); farther out, use an attic or roof antenna.
- 6 channels reach ordinary TVs only on VHF (WOCK-CD, WTVK), and many flat indoor antennas are weak on VHF.
- Most towers stand together, so one fixed aim covers nearly everything.
Not sure about VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary and UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary ? See the glossary. Any brand of the right type will do.
Which way to point your antenna from Aurora, Joliet, Elgin and nearby
Aim at the main tower site (WGN-TV, WCIU-TV, WSNS-TV, WPWR-TV and others). From the largest towns around Chicago:
| From | Point | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora, IL | east-northeast (76°) | 35 mi |
| Joliet, IL | northeast (46°) | 36 mi |
| Elgin, IL | east-southeast (107°) | 37 mi |
| Waukegan, IL | south-southeast (160°) | 36 mi |
| Hammond, IN | north-northwest (338°) | 19 mi |
| Oak Lawn, IL | north-northeast (28°) | 13 mi |
4 full-power stations transmit from elsewhere: WGBO-DT (2 mi away), WWTO-TV (2 mi away), WYIN (39 mi away), WTVK (79 mi away). If you live near one of them, it may need a separate aim.
Where the Chicago TV towers are
Map of 9 tower sites around Chicago. The list below has every site.
-
15 stations · 4 mi northeast of the centre
WGN-TVWCIU-TVWSNS-TVWPWR-TVWMAQ-TVWFLDWTTWWJYSWXFT-DTWLS-TVWBBM-TVWCPX-TVWEDE-CDWWME-CDWMEU-CD
-
11 stations · 5 mi northeast of the centre
WGBO-DTWWTO-TVWPVN-CDWILC-CDWLPD-CDWOCK-CDKPDS-LDWRME-LDWRJK-LDWESV-LDW31EZ-D
-
2 stations · 47 mi west-southwest of the centre
-
1 station · 37 mi south-southeast of the centre
-
1 station · 75 mi west-southwest of the centre
NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Chicago
2 stations (WBBM-TV, WRME-LD) now send the newer NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) A newer broadcast format. Older TVs can't decode it, so stations also send the old format from a partner station. More in the glossary format. Older TVs can't decode it, so stations share: each channel that moved is also sent in the old format by a partner station (a Lighthouse (channel sharing) One station switches to NextGen TV and carries other stations' 3.0 versions; partners carry its old-format version. More in the glossary arrangement). Your TV shows the same number; at most you need a Rescan Asking your TV to search for channels again. Fixes most missing channels. More in the glossary .
WBBM-TV sends NextGen TV on RF 12
WRME-LD sends NextGen TV on RF 6
Our data lists no channels of its own on the NextGen signal yet.
Every Chicago station and subchannel
Including Class A and low-power stations Smaller stations with a shorter range than full-power ones. More in the glossary stations. 4 subchannels have no confirmed network; we show them as "network unknown" rather than guess.
Full power (16)
- WBBM-TV Chicago, IL · VHF · NextGen TV
- 2.1 CBS · on WGN-TV's signal
- 2.2 Start TV · on WGBO-DT's signal
- 2.3 Dabl · on WFLD's signal
- 2.4 365BLK · on WMAQ-TV's signal
- 2.5 Comet · on WGBO-DT's signal
- WMAQ-TV Chicago, IL · UHF
- 5.1 NBC
- 5.2 Cozi TV
- 5.3 NBC True CRMZ
- 5.4 Oxygen
Its signal also carries 2.4, 44.1, 44.2 for partner stations.
- WLS-TV Chicago, IL · UHF
- 7.1 ABC
- 7.2 Localish
- 7.3 Charge!
Its signal also carries 60.1, 60.2, 60.3 for partner stations.
- WGN-TV Chicago, IL · UHF
- 9.1 The CW
- 9.2 Antenna TV
- 9.3 Grit
- 9.4 Rewind TV
- 9.5 The Nest
Its signal also carries 2.1 for partner stations.
- WTTW Chicago, IL · UHF
- 11.1 PBS
- 11.2 WTTW Prime
- 11.3 Create
- 11.4 PBS Kids
- WCIU-TV Chicago, IL · UHF
- 26.1 Independent
- 26.2 network unknown
- 26.3 MeTV
- 26.4 Heroes & Icons
- 26.5 Story Television
- 26.6 Catchy Comedy
- 26.7 MeTV Toons
- 26.8 network unknown
- WFLD Chicago, IL · UHF
- 32.1 Fox
- 32.2 Movies!
- 32.3 Buzzr
- 32.4 Roar
- 32.5 Fox Weather
Its signal also carries 2.3, 50.1 for partner stations.
- WWTO-TV Naperville, IL · UHF
- 35.1 TBN
- 35.2 Infomercials · on WLPD-CD's signal
- 35.3 OnTV4U · on WLPD-CD's signal
- 35.4 Positiv · on WLPD-CD's signal
- WCPX-TV Chicago, IL · UHF
- 38.1 Ion Television
- 38.2 Bounce TV
- 38.3 Court TV
- 38.4 Laff
- 38.5 Ion Plus
- 38.6 Busted
- 38.7 Game Show Central
- 38.8 HSN
- WSNS-TV Chicago, IL · UHF
- 44.1 Telemundo
- 44.2 TeleXitos · on WMAQ-TV's signal
- WPWR-TV Gary, IN · UHF
- 50.1 MyNetworkTV
- WYIN Gary, IN · UHF
- 56.1 PBS
- 56.2 NHK World
- WTVK Oswego, IL · VHF
- 59.1 Infomercials
- WXFT-DT Aurora, IL · UHF
- 60.1 UniMás
- 60.2 Ion Mystery · on WLS-TV's signal
- 60.3 Quest · on WLS-TV's signal
- WJYS Hammond, IN · UHF
- 62.1 Independent
- 62.2 CRTV
- 62.4 Heartland
- 62.5 QVC
- 62.6 Heartland
- 62.7 Jewelry TV
- 62.8 HSN
- 62.9 HSN2
- 62.10 Polvision
- WGBO-DT Joliet, IL · UHF
- 66.1 Univision
- 66.2 MovieSphere Gold
- 66.3 Great
- 66.4 True Crime Network
- 66.5 Grit
Its signal also carries 2.2, 2.5 for partner stations.
Class A (7)
- WILC-CD Sugar Grove, IL · UHF
- 8.1 Independent
- 8.2 Daystar Español
- 8.3 Daystar Reflections
- WOCK-CD Chicago, IL · VHF
- 13.1 KBS America
- 13.2 network unknown
- 13.3 Arirang TV
- 13.4 CGTN
- 13.5 CGTN Documentary
- WPVN-CD Chicago, IL · UHF
- 24.1 network unknown
- 24.2 Infomercials
- 24.3 SWAAG TV
- 24.4 365BLK
- 24.5 America's Voice Español
- 24.6 Defy
- 24.7 QVC en Español
- 24.8 Outlaw
- 24.9 Law & Crime
- 24.10 Fubo Sports Network
- 24.12 Newsmax2
- WLPD-CD Plano, IL · UHF
- 30.1 TBN Inspire
- 30.2 TBN
Its signal also carries 35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4 for partner stations.
- WEDE-CD Arlington Heights, IL · UHF
- 34.1 Religious Independent
- 34.2 RETRO
- 34.3 GEM
- WMEU-CD Chicago, IL · UHF
- 48.1 Independent
- 48.2 Start TV
- 48.3 Catchy Comedy
- 48.4 MeTV+
- WWME-CD Chicago, IL · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Low power (11)
- WCHU-LD Oakwood Hills, IL · VHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WSPY-LD Earlville, IL · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WAAA-LD Valparaiso, IN · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- KPDS-LD Chicago, IL · VHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- W31EZ-D Chicago, IL · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WAUR-LD Aurora, IL · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WDCI-LD Chicago, IL · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WESV-LD Chicago, IL · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WODN-LD Portage, IN · VHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WRJK-LD Arlington Heights, IL · UHF
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
- WRME-LD Chicago, IL · VHF · NextGen TV
No channel lineup in our data for this station yet.
Questions about antenna TV in Chicago
What channels are CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX on antenna in Chicago?
What local channels can I get with an antenna in Chicago?
What is the best TV antenna for Chicago?
Which way should I point my antenna in Chicago?
Do I need a new TV for NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) in Chicago?
For the curious: tower and licence details
- WEDE-CD · facility 66978 · RF 28 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 2.84 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-04-15
- WGN-TV · facility 72115 · RF 19 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 645 kW · HAAT 497.7 m · licensed 2024-01-24
- WCIU-TV · facility 71428 · RF 23 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 473 m · licensed 2020-02-03 · newer construction permit granted
- WWME-CD · facility 71425 · RF 20 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2019-10-22
- WSNS-TV · facility 70119 · RF 29 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 398 kW · HAAT 509 m · licensed 2026-08-27
- WPWR-TV · facility 48772 · RF 31 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 475 m · licensed 2018-06-15
- WMAQ-TV · facility 47905 · RF 33 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 398 kW · HAAT 509 m · licensed 2026-08-27
- WMEU-CD · facility 168662 · RF 18 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2019-10-22
- WFLD · facility 22211 · RF 24 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 520 m · licensed 2026-09-02
- WTTW · facility 10802 · RF 25 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 250 kW · HAAT 496 m · licensed 2022-06-23
- WJYS · facility 32334 · RF 21 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 140 kW · HAAT 510 m · licensed 2019-11-01
- WXFT-DT · facility 60539 · RF 22 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 518 m · licensed 2023-12-14
- WLS-TV · facility 73226 · RF 22 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 1000 kW · HAAT 518 m · licensed 2023-12-14
- WBBM-TV · facility 9617 · RF 12 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 29.5 kW · HAAT 500.4 m · licensed 2025-01-28 · newer construction permit granted
- WCPX-TV · facility 10981 · RF 34 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 400 kW · HAAT 510 m · licensed 2019-11-01
- WDCI-LD · facility 67898 · RF 30 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2012-02-09 · newer construction permit granted
- WCHU-LD · facility 129745 · RF 7 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 3 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-12-15
- KPDS-LD · facility 184103 · RF 9 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 0.65 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2025-01-17
- WPVN-CD · facility 168237 · RF 26 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2021-02-11
- WRME-LD · facility 128239 · RF 6 (VHF-low) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 3 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2024-03-01
- WILC-CD · facility 71111 · RF 27 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-10-19
- WGBO-DT · facility 12498 · RF 35 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 635 kW · HAAT 403 m · licensed 2024-01-24
- WRJK-LD · facility 68061 · RF 36 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 5.1 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-11-02
- WESV-LD · facility 68043 · RF 31 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-10-27
- WLPD-CD · facility 189058 · RF 32 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-08-15
- W31EZ-D · facility 61692 · RF 31 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2026-10-19
- WOCK-CD · facility 35092 · RF 4 (VHF-low) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 3 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2021-11-16
- WWTO-TV · facility 998 · RF 32 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-08-15
- WODN-LD · facility 63569 · RF 13 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 3 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2022-01-27
- WYIN · facility 49803 · RF 17 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 300 kW · HAAT 290 m · licensed 2026-03-06
- WAAA-LD · facility 64445 · RF 16 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 14 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-01-28
- WAUR-LD · facility 187839 · RF 29 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 15 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-03-13 · newer construction permit granted
- WSPY-LD · facility 187840 · RF 30 (UHF) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 10.8 kW · HAAT not filed · licensed 2020-03-13
- WTVK · facility 52280 · RF 10 (VHF-high) · ERP (effective radiated power) Transmitter power after the antenna's gain, in kilowatts. More in the glossary 30 kW · HAAT 410.7 m · licensed 2023-09-25 · distributed transmission · newer construction permit granted
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.
- Reception: Reception predictions over USGS terrain for every ZIP, FCC data 2026-11-03 00:00:00 (model 2026-11-11.4)
- 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