TV channels & antenna towers in Catlin, Illinois

Catlin has 21 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W23EQ-D, 6.0 miles to the N.

21TV transmitters within 70 miles
5networks over the air
6.0 mito the closest tower
2,007population

Network channels in Catlin

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
ABCWICDABC15 11 mi272° W StrongChampaign, IL
FOXWCCUFox27 11 mi272° W GoodUrbana, IL
CBSWCIACBS3 40 mi274° W GoodChampaign, IL
ABCWPBI-CDABC16.3 51 mi62° ENE PoorLafayette, IN
ABCWPBY-CDABC35 51 mi62° ENE PoorLafayette, IN
CWWTWOCW2.2 59 mi164° SSE FairTerre Haute, IN
ABCWAWV-TVABC38 59 mi164° SSE FairTerre Haute, IN
FOXWTHI-TVFox10.2 59 mi163° SSE WeakTerre Haute, IN
NBCWANDNBC17 60 mi263° W GoodDecatur, IL
CWWBUICW23 61 mi263° W FairDecatur, IL
CWWLFI-TVCW18.2 62 mi68° ENE PoorLafayette, IN

Over-the-air TV in Catlin

With roughly 2,010 residents, Catlin is a small community in Illinois. Our map shows 21 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 11 full-power, 3 Class A, 5 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 14 farther out. Three of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Lafayette, IN, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Lafayette's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 15 (WICD), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 27 (WCCU) and CW on channel 23 (WBUI). 2 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 Catlin

Point your antenna W, at about 273°. The main network towers for Catlin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, WICD and WCCU, transmit from the same tower site about 11 miles west of Catlin (272° W). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Catlin at fair strength or better, 71% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Catlin

The farthest main network tower for Catlin is WCIA (CBS), 40 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WAND (NBC), 60 miles west, 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.

WICD is only 11 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.

Other stations near Catlin

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
W23EQ-DTranslator6.0 mi 354° NGoodDanville, IL
W27EL-DLow power28 mi 276° WFairChampaign, IL
WBXC-CDClass A29 mi 277° WFairChampaign/Urbana, IL
W07DD-DLow power32 mi 282° WNWPoorChampaign, IL
WEIU-TVFull power47 mi 223° SWFairCharleston, IL
WILL-TVFull power51 mi 268° WFairUrbana, IL
W19FD-DLow power59 mi 164° SSEPoorTerre Haute, IN
W24FB-DLow power59 mi 164° SSEPoorBrazil, IN
WLCF-LDLow power62 mi 263° WPoorDecatur, IL
W33EK-DTranslator67 mi 213° SSWPoorEffingham, IL

How Catlin compares with the rest of Illinois

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Catlin ranks 534th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 11 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 Danville, 5.6 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Catlin: 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 274° W, the direction of WCIA (CBS), 40 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 12 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 Catlin, IL?

ABC is on channel 15 from WICD, broadcasting from 11 miles W of Catlin. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Catlin, IL?

CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 40 miles W of Catlin. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Catlin, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 60 miles W of Catlin. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Catlin, IL?

Fox is on channel 27 from WCCU, broadcasting from 11 miles W of Catlin. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Catlin, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 61 miles W of Catlin. Estimated signal: fair.

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

21 transmitters within 70 miles of Catlin; around 12 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 Catlin?

Point your antenna W, at about 273°. The main network towers for Catlin sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Catlin?

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. Picking up NBC from up to 60 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Catlin?

WAND (NBC), 60 miles west, 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.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Catlin?

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

Nearby cities in other states

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