TV channels & antenna towers in Addison, Illinois

Addison has 39 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 28 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WTTW, 19 miles to the E.

39TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
19 mito the closest tower
37,208population

Network channels in Addison

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 19 mi101° E StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 19 mi101° E GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 19 mi101° E GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 19 mi101° E FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 19 mi101° E StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 19 mi101° E StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 19 mi101° E FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 19 mi101° E GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 19 mi101° E StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 19 mi97° E StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 19 mi97° E WeakChicago, IL
FOXWQRF-TVFox39 65 mi292° WNW PoorRockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC17 65 mi292° WNW PoorRockford, IL
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo23 66 mi293° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS23 66 mi293° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CWWSLNCW19 66 mi293° WNW PoorFreeport, IL
NBCWREXNBC13 69 mi292° WNW PoorRockford, IL

Over-the-air TV in Addison

With roughly 37,200 residents, Addison is a city in Illinois. Our map shows 39 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 19 full-power, 7 Class A and 13 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 28 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

28 of them are within 25 miles of Addison, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Ten of the 17 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 7 (WLS-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WBBM-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WMAQ-TV), Fox on channel 32 (WFLD), CW on channel 9 (WGN-TV), ION on channel 38 (WCPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WSNS-TV), Univision on channel 66 (WGBO-DT) and MeTV on channel 26.3 (WCIU-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (strong signal). 6 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Addison

Point your antenna E, at about 101°. The main network towers for Addison sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV, WWME-CD and WCIU-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 19 miles east of Addison (101° E). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Addison at fair strength or better, all arrive from the east, so this is an easy place to aim.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Addison, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Addison

The farthest main network tower for Addison is WBBM-TV (CBS), 19 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Addison

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power19 mi 101° EGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power19 mi 101° EStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A19 mi 101° EFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A19 mi 101° EFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power19 mi 101° EGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power19 mi 101° EStrongAurora, IL
WCHU-LDLow power19 mi 99° EFairOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power19 mi 97° EFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A19 mi 97° EFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power19 mi 97° EFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power19 mi 97° EFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power19 mi 97° EFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A19 mi 97° EFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power19 mi 97° EFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A19 mi 97° EFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A19 mi 97° EFairPlano, IL
WDCI-LDLow power19 mi 100° EFairChicago, IL
WAUR-LDLow power35 mi 239° WSWWeakAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power35 mi 239° WSWWeakEarlville, IL
WODN-LDLow power46 mi 117° ESEPoorPortage, IN
WYINFull power50 mi 143° SEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power57 mi 119° ESEPoorValparaiso, IN

How Addison compares with the rest of Illinois

With 28 stations at fair strength or better, Addison ranks 70th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 19 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

54% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Schaumburg, 8.5 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Addison: step by step

  1. Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
  2. Point it toward 101° E, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 19 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 28 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Addison, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles E of Addison. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Addison, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles E of Addison. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Addison, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles E of Addison. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Addison, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 19 miles E of Addison. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Addison, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles E of Addison. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Addison?

39 transmitters within 70 miles of Addison; around 28 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic antenna. Each station usually carries several subchannels, so the total channel count after a scan is higher.

Which direction should I point my TV antenna in Addison?

Point your antenna E, at about 101°. The main network towers for Addison sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Addison?

Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Addison?

An amplifier only helps here if you run a long cable (over about 50 feet) or split the antenna to several TVs. Otherwise better placement does more. See the amplifier guide.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Addison?

Yes. The free RCA Signal Finder app for iPhone and Android uses your phone's GPS and compass to show which way each tower is from where you stand.

TV channels in nearby Illinois cities

More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Addison; signal estimates ignore terrain.