TV channels & antenna towers in Benton, Illinois

With roughly 7,040 residents, Benton is a town in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 16 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 4 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 7 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Two of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Cape Girardeau, MO, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cape Girardeau's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 3 (WSIL-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WPSD-TV), Fox on channel 23 (KBSI), CW on channel 12.2 (KFVS-TV) and Telemundo on channel 18 (WQWQ-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KMOV in St. Louis, MO, 83 miles to the northwest. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak signal). 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 Benton are in different directions: ABC 174° S (27 mi), NBC 183° S (56 mi) and Fox 221° SW (54 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Benton at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

The farthest main network tower for Benton is WPSD-TV (NBC), 56 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

With 7 stations at fair strength or better, Benton ranks 716th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 27 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Carbondale, 25 miles away.