TV channels & antenna towers in Central City, Illinois
Central City has 27 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 6 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W29CI-D, 7.0 miles to the E.
Network channels in Central City
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKMOVCBS | 4 | 63 mi | 269° W | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| TLMWODK-LDTelemundo | 45 | 65 mi | 272° W | Poor | Saint Louis, MO |
| ABCKDNL-TVABC | 30 | 65 mi | 272° W | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| NBCKSDKNBC | 5 | 65 mi | 272° W | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| ABCWSIL-TVABC | 3 | 66 mi | 168° SSE | Weak | Harrisburg, IL |
| CWKPLR-TVCW | 11 | 67 mi | 270° W | Weak | St. Louis, MO |
| FOXKTVIFox | 2 | 67 mi | 270° W | Weak | St. Louis, MO |
Over-the-air TV in Central City
With roughly 1,130 residents, Central City is a small community in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 27 licensed TV transmitters: 11 full-power, 5 Class A, 10 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 6 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 4 between 25 and 45 miles, and 22 farther out. Five of the 7 network stations in range are licensed to St. Louis, MO, so most of the network channels you will find here come from St. Louis's stations.
The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 30 (KDNL-TV), CBS on channel 4 (KMOV), NBC on channel 5 (KSDK), Fox on channel 2 (KTVI), CW on channel 11 (KPLR-TV) and Telemundo on channel 45 (WODK-LD). 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.
Which way to point your antenna in Central City
Point your antenna W, at about 271°. The main network towers for Central City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, KDNL-TV and KSDK, transmit from the same tower site about 65 miles west of Central City (272° W). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Central City at fair strength or better, all arrive from the west, so this is an easy place to aim.
KDNL-TV (ABC), KMOV (CBS), KSDK (NBC) and KTVI (Fox) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Central City. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Central City
The farthest main network tower for Central City is KTVI (Fox), 67 miles away with a weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.
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.
Other stations near Central City
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W29CI-DClass A | 7.0 mi | 82° E | Good | Salem, IL |
| WSIU-TVFull power | 31 mi | 192° SSW | Fair | Carbondale, IL |
| WPXSFull power | 43 mi | 253° WSW | Fair | Mount Vernon, IL |
| W09DL-DLow power | 43 mi | 253° WSW | Poor | Mount Vernon, IL |
| WLEH-LDLow power | 43 mi | 253° WSW | Poor | St., IL |
| WEDK-LDLow power | 46 mi | 35° NE | Poor | Effingham, IL |
| WXSL-LDLow power | 47 mi | 281° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| W15BU-DClass A | 50 mi | 167° SSE | Poor | Johnson City, IL |
| WUSI-TVFull power | 57 mi | 69° ENE | Weak | Olney, IL |
| KEFN-CDClass A | 58 mi | 276° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| W36EX-DClass A | 59 mi | 296° WNW | Poor | Alton, IL |
| W33EK-DTranslator | 63 mi | 39° NE | Poor | Effingham, IL |
| KDTL-LDLow power | 63 mi | 269° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| KUMO-LDLow power | 65 mi | 272° W | Poor | St Louis, MO |
| KPTN-LDLow power | 65 mi | 272° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| KBGU-LDLow power | 65 mi | 272° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| K15KP-DLow power | 65 mi | 272° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| WTCTFull power | 69 mi | 175° S | Poor | Marion, IL |
| KETCFull power | 69 mi | 267° W | Weak | St. Louis, MO |
| K25NG-DClass A | 69 mi | 278° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
How Central City compares with the rest of Illinois
With 6 stations at fair strength or better, Central City ranks 740th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 63 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 O'Fallon, 42 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Central City: step by step
- Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
- Point it toward 270° W, the direction of KTVI (Fox), 67 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 6 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 Central City, IL?
ABC is on channel 30 from KDNL-TV, broadcasting from 65 miles W of Central City. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Central City, IL?
CBS is on channel 4 from KMOV, broadcasting from 63 miles W of Central City. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Central City, IL?
NBC is on channel 5 from KSDK, broadcasting from 65 miles W of Central City. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Central City, IL?
Fox is on channel 2 from KTVI, broadcasting from 67 miles W of Central City. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CW in Central City, IL?
CW is on channel 11 from KPLR-TV, broadcasting from 67 miles W of Central City. Estimated signal: weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Central City?
27 transmitters within 70 miles of Central City; around 6 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Central City?
Point your antenna W, at about 271°. The main network towers for Central City sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Central City?
Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Central City?
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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Central City?
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
- Centralia1.7 mi
- Salem11 mi
- Nashville20 mi
- Mount Vernon20 mi
- Breese22 mi
- Okawville24 mi
- Greenville28 mi
- Vandalia28 mi
- Ina30 mi
- Highland32 mi
- Wayne City32 mi
- Pinckneyville35 mi
- Flora36 mi
- Mascoutah36 mi
- Du Quoin38 mi
- Benton40 mi
- Altamont41 mi
- Ramsey41 mi
- Shiloh42 mi
- O'Fallon42 mi
- Troy43 mi
- Sparta43 mi
- Fairfield43 mi
- McLeansboro45 mi
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Central City; signal estimates ignore terrain.