What channel is PBS on antenna in Chicago?
PBS is channel 11.1 (WTTW).
It broadcasts on RF 25 (UHF), which any digital TV can receive.
Our terrain predictions put PBS on WTTW 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 PBS? 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 PBS still doesn't appear, the antenna needs to point toward the WTTW tower and handle UHF Higher frequencies (RF 14–36). Most stations are here; almost any antenna picks it up. More in the glossary .
Where PBS 11.1 comes from
-
Works on any digital TV
WTTW RF 25 · UHF
WTTW's own transmitter.
Which way to point for PBS around Chicago
Aim at the WTTW 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 PBS in Chicago
PBS 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
If 11.1 doesn't come in
PBS is also on:
- 56.1 WYIN
More free channels from WTTW
- 11.2 WTTW Prime
- 11.3 Create
- 11.4 PBS Kids
Other networks in Chicago
Questions about PBS in Chicago
What channel is PBS on antenna in Chicago?
Why did PBS 11.1 disappear from my TV?
What antenna do I need for PBS 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