TV channels & antenna towers in Atlanta, Illinois

Atlanta is a small community of about 1,650 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 27 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 1 Class A, 11 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 15 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 19 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 farther out. Three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Springfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Springfield's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 20 (WICS), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 25.3 (WEEK-TV), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD) and MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI). 5 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Atlanta are in different directions: ABC 201° SSW (34 mi), CBS 328° NNW (31 mi), NBC 135° SE (30 mi) and Fox 6° N (27 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, WHOI, WEEK-TV and WMBD-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 30 miles northwest of Atlanta (327° NNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Atlanta at fair strength or better, 33% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across four other directions.

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

The farthest main network tower for Atlanta is WICS (ABC), 34 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

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.

With 15 stations at fair strength or better, Atlanta ranks 403rd of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 20 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 Bloomington, 20 miles away.