WCIA (CBS) · Channel 3
Full power TV station · Champaign, Illinois
WCIA is a full power over-the-air TV station affiliated with CBS on virtual channel 3, licensed to Champaign, Illinois. Its signal is estimated to reach about 102 cities and towns within 62 miles.
About WCIA
Full-power stations are the main licensed broadcasters in a market. They may run the highest power from the tallest towers and are protected from interference, so they set the core of what you can receive.
At 681 kW effective radiated power, WCIA runs more power than 68% of full-power TV stations nationwide (median: 273 kW).
Its antenna sits 285 m above the average surrounding terrain, higher than 23% of full-power stations. Taller antennas see farther: this one's radio horizon is roughly 51 miles, beyond which the signal fades quickly.
We estimate a fair-or-better signal out to about 62 miles with an outdoor antenna. That area includes 102 cities and towns in our guide with about 678,000 residents, as far as Charleston, IL (45 miles).
The nearest other CBS station in our data is WMBD-TV in Peoria, IL, 68 miles away. Viewers between the two can sometimes receive both.
CBS is one of the four big commercial broadcast networks. Local CBS affiliates carry the network's news, daytime and primetime schedule plus local news, and CBS is the over-the-air home of many NFL Sunday afternoon games.
Station facts
| Network | CBS |
| Virtual channel | 3 |
| Station type | Full power (DTV) |
| City of license | Champaign, IL |
| Tower location | 40.10583, -88.45000 |
| Effective radiated power | 681 kW |
| Antenna height (HAAT) | 285 m (935 ft) |
| FCC facility ID | 42124 |
| License status | Licensed |
Cities that can receive WCIA
Estimated with an outdoor antenna. Direction is from the city toward the tower.
| City | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahomet, IL | 6.6 mi | 201° SSW | Strong |
| Lake of the Woods, IL | 8.2 mi | 212° SSW | Strong |
| Monticello, IL | 8.5 mi | 50° NE | Strong |
| Champaign, IL | 11 mi | 266° W | Strong |
| Savoy, IL | 11 mi | 289° WNW | Strong |
| Urbana, IL | 13 mi | 269° W | Strong |
| Tolono, IL | 13 mi | 309° NW | Strong |
| Rantoul, IL | 21 mi | 228° SW | Strong |
| Saint Joseph, IL | 22 mi | 269° W | Strong |
| Tuscola, IL | 23 mi | 337° NNW | Good |
| Le Roy, IL | 24 mi | 136° SE | Good |
| Gibson City, IL | 25 mi | 188° S | Good |
| Clinton, IL | 27 mi | 97° E | Good |
| Forsyth, IL | 29 mi | 66° ENE | Good |
| Arcola, IL | 30 mi | 345° NNW | Good |
| Paxton, IL | 31 mi | 217° SW | Good |
| Heyworth, IL | 31 mi | 117° ESE | Good |
| Mount Zion, IL | 32 mi | 44° NE | Good |
| Decatur, IL | 32 mi | 55° NE | Good |
| Sullivan, IL | 36 mi | 13° NNE | Good |
| Bloomington, IL | 39 mi | 132° SE | Good |
| Normal, IL | 40 mi | 135° SE | Good |
| Westville, IL | 43 mi | 276° W | Good |
| Mattoon, IL | 43 mi | 355° N | Good |
| Danville, IL | 43 mi | 269° W | Good |
| Georgetown, IL | 44 mi | 282° WNW | Good |
| Fairbury, IL | 44 mi | 176° S | Good |
| Charleston, IL | 45 mi | 341° NNW | Good |
| Hoopeston, IL | 48 mi | 239° WSW | Good |
| Lincoln, IL | 48 mi | 93° E | Good |
| Shelbyville, IL | 52 mi | 20° NNE | Good |
| Paris, IL | 53 mi | 311° NW | Good |
| El Paso, IL | 53 mi | 146° SE | Good |
| Pontiac, IL | 54 mi | 170° S | Fair |
| Taylorville, IL | 59 mi | 49° NE | Fair |
| Watseka, IL | 60 mi | 219° SW | Fair |
| Pana, IL | 60 mi | 34° NE | Fair |
| Riverton, IL | 60 mi | 72° ENE | Fair |
| Eureka, IL | 61 mi | 134° SE | Fair |
| Rochester, IL | 62 mi | 66° ENE | Fair |
Other network stations nearby
Frequently asked questions
Where is the WCIA transmitter tower?
WCIA broadcasts from a tower at 40.1058, -88.4500, near Mahomet, IL. It is licensed to Champaign, Illinois.
What channel is WCIA on?
WCIA appears as virtual channel 3 (3.1 and its subchannels) when you scan with an antenna, carrying CBS.
How far does WCIA broadcast?
With an outdoor antenna, reception is usually workable up to about 62 miles from the tower, and possible in good conditions out to roughly 71 miles. Hills and buildings can shorten that.
How many people can watch WCIA with an antenna?
About 678,000 people live in the 102 cities and towns within its estimated fair-signal range, not counting rural residents between them.
Which way do I point my antenna for WCIA?
Open the live finder from your address to get the exact compass bearing to the WCIA tower, or use the table above if your city is listed.