What channel is CBS on antenna in Chicago?
CBS is channel 2.1 (WBBM-TV).
WBBM-TV's own transmitter (RF 12, VHF) now sends NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Ordinary TVs get CBS 2.1 from WGN-TV's signal on RF 19 (UHF), and it still shows up as 2.1.
Our terrain predictions put CBS on WBBM-TV within antenna reach of about 100% of people in the Chicago market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 96% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.
Updated from FCC data
Lost CBS? Rescan your TV first
CBS 2.1 moved onto WGN-TV's signal when WBBM-TV switched to 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 . TVs that haven't rescanned since are still looking on the old frequency. Run your TV's channel scan (often called "auto-program"); CBS comes back as 2.1.
Where CBS 2.1 comes from
Which way to point for CBS around Chicago
Aim at WGN-TV's tower, which carries the version any TV can use , at the main tower site with most other stations.
| 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 |
The antenna you need for CBS in Chicago
CBS reaches ordinary TVs on UHF, so any antenna that picks up UHF will do. For the NextGen TV version on RF 12 you'd also need VHF reception and a 3.0 tuner. 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 Chicago · VHF Lower frequencies (RF 2–13). Needs an antenna with longer elements; many flat indoor antennas are weak here. More in the glossary
More free channels from WBBM-TV
- 2.2 Start TV
- 2.3 Dabl
- 2.4 365BLK
- 2.5 Comet
Other networks in Chicago
Questions about CBS in Chicago
What channel is CBS on antenna in Chicago?
Why did CBS 2.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for CBS in Chicago?
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