What channel is NBC on antenna in Chicago?
NBC is channel 5.1 (WMAQ-TV).
It broadcasts on RF 33 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put NBC on WMAQ-TV within antenna reach of about 99% of people in the Chicago market, and an indoor antenna is likely enough for about 95% (an estimate, not yet checked against real scans). Check your ZIP.
Updated from FCC data
Lost NBC? 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 NBC still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WMAQ-TV tower and handle UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary .
Where NBC 5.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WMAQ-TV RF 33 · UHF
WMAQ-TV's own transmitter.
Which way to point for NBC around Chicago
Aim at the WMAQ-TV tower , 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 NBC in Chicago
NBC 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 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 WMAQ-TV
- 5.2 Cozi TV
- 5.3 NBC True CRMZ
- 5.4 Oxygen
Other networks in Chicago
Questions about NBC in Chicago
What channel is NBC on antenna in Chicago?
Why did NBC 5.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for NBC 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