TV channels & antenna towers in Bethany, Illinois

Bethany has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WBUI (CW), 22 miles to the NNW.

Open Bethany in the live finder

25TV transmitters within 70 miles

6networks over the air

22 mito the closest tower

1,322population

Network channels in Bethany

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CWWBUICW	23	22 mi	346° NNW	Good	Decatur, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	22 mi	347° NNW	Strong	Decatur, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	32 mi	314° NW	Weak	Springfield, IL
CBSWCIACBS	3	35 mi	26° NNE	Good	Champaign, IL
ABCWICSABC	20	40 mi	286° WNW	Good	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	40 mi	286° WNW	Good	Springfield, IL
ABCWICDABC	15	53 mi	56° NE	Good	Champaign, IL
FOXWCCUFox	27	53 mi	56° NE	Fair	Urbana, IL

Over-the-air TV in Bethany

With roughly 1,320 residents, Bethany is a small community in Illinois. Our map shows 25 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 12 full-power, 1 Class A, 9 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 7 at good or strong strength.

4 of them are within 25 miles of Bethany, 12 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 8 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 15 (WICD), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 55 (WRSP-TV), CW on channel 23 (WBUI) and ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD). 5 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 Bethany

The main network towers around Bethany are in different directions: CBS 26° NNE (35 mi), NBC 347° NNW (22 mi) and Fox 286° WNW (40 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Two network stations, WBUI and WAND, transmit from the same tower site about 22 miles north of Bethany (346° NNW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Bethany at fair strength or better, 43% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Bethany

The farthest main network tower for Bethany is WRSP-TV (Fox), 40 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WICD (ABC), 53 miles northeast, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

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 Bethany

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WLCF-LDLow power	22 mi	342° NNW	Fair	Decatur, IL
WEIU-TVFull power	24 mi	103° ESE	Good	Charleston, IL
WILL-TVFull power	27 mi	8° N	Fair	Urbana, IL
W33EK-DTranslator	33 mi	145° SE	Weak	Effingham, IL
WEDK-LDLow power	39 mi	172° S	Poor	Effingham, IL
WBXC-CDClass A	42 mi	39° NE	Weak	Champaign/Urbana, IL
W27EL-DLow power	42 mi	40° NE	Poor	Champaign, IL
WCIXFull power	42 mi	284° WNW	Weak	Springfield, IL
W07DD-DLow power	43 mi	33° NNE	Poor	Champaign, IL
W23EW-DLow power	43 mi	280° W	Poor	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	47 mi	282° WNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W31EH-DLow power	49 mi	285° WNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W27ES-DLow power	49 mi	285° WNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WUSI-TVFull power	65 mi	150° SSE	Weak	Olney, IL
W23EQ-DTranslator	65 mi	57° ENE	Poor	Danville, IL
WSECFull power	70 mi	268° W	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
W29ES-DTranslator	70 mi	268° W	Poor	Jacksonville, IL

How Bethany compares with the rest of Illinois

With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Bethany ranks 609th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 22 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 Decatur, 18 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Bethany: step by step

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.
Point it toward 286° WNW, the direction of WRSP-TV (Fox), 40 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
Expect around 10 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Bethany, IL?

ABC is on channel 15 from WICD, broadcasting from 53 miles NE of Bethany. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Bethany, IL?

CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 35 miles NNE of Bethany. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Bethany, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 22 miles NNW of Bethany. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Bethany, IL?

Fox is on channel 55 from WRSP-TV, broadcasting from 40 miles WNW of Bethany. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Bethany, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 22 miles NNW of Bethany. Estimated signal: good.

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

25 transmitters within 70 miles of Bethany; around 10 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 Bethany?

What kind of antenna do I need in Bethany?

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. The towers are spread over about 99° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help. Picking up ABC from up to 53 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Bethany?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Bethany?

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 Bethany; signal estimates ignore terrain.