TV channels & antenna towers in Centralia, Illinois
Centralia 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, 7.7 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Centralia
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKMOVCBS | 4 | 63 mi | 271° W | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| TLMWODK-LDTelemundo | 45 | 65 mi | 273° W | Poor | Saint Louis, MO |
| ABCWSIL-TVABC | 3 | 65 mi | 167° SSE | Weak | Harrisburg, IL |
| ABCKDNL-TVABC | 30 | 65 mi | 274° W | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| NBCKSDKNBC | 5 | 65 mi | 273° W | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| CWKPLR-TVCW | 11 | 67 mi | 271° W | Weak | St. Louis, MO |
| FOXKTVIFox | 2 | 67 mi | 271° W | Weak | St. Louis, MO |
Over-the-air TV in Centralia
With roughly 12,700 residents, Centralia is a town 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 strongest network signals here 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 Centralia
Point your antenna W, at about 272°. The main network towers for Centralia 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 Centralia (274° W). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 3 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Centralia 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 Centralia. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Centralia
The farthest main network tower for Centralia 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 Centralia
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 | 7.7 mi | 70° ENE | Good | Salem, IL |
| WSIU-TVFull power | 30 mi | 192° SSW | Fair | Carbondale, IL |
| WPXSFull power | 42 mi | 255° WSW | Fair | Mount Vernon, IL |
| W09DL-DLow power | 42 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | Mount Vernon, IL |
| WLEH-LDLow power | 42 mi | 255° WSW | Poor | St., IL |
| WXSL-LDLow power | 47 mi | 283° WNW | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| WEDK-LDLow power | 47 mi | 34° NE | Poor | Effingham, IL |
| W15BU-DClass A | 48 mi | 167° SSE | Poor | Johnson City, IL |
| KEFN-CDClass A | 58 mi | 278° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| WUSI-TVFull power | 58 mi | 68° ENE | Weak | Olney, IL |
| W36EX-DClass A | 59 mi | 298° WNW | Poor | Alton, IL |
| KDTL-LDLow power | 63 mi | 271° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| W33EK-DTranslator | 64 mi | 39° NE | Poor | Effingham, IL |
| KUMO-LDLow power | 65 mi | 273° W | Poor | St Louis, MO |
| KPTN-LDLow power | 65 mi | 273° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| KBGU-LDLow power | 65 mi | 273° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| K15KP-DLow power | 65 mi | 273° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| WTCTFull power | 67 mi | 175° S | Poor | Marion, IL |
| KETCFull power | 68 mi | 268° W | Weak | St. Louis, MO |
| K25NG-DClass A | 69 mi | 279° W | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
How Centralia compares with the rest of Illinois
With 6 stations at fair strength or better, Centralia 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 Centralia: 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 271° 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 Centralia, IL?
ABC is on channel 30 from KDNL-TV, broadcasting from 65 miles W of Centralia. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in Centralia, IL?
CBS is on channel 4 from KMOV, broadcasting from 63 miles W of Centralia. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Centralia, IL?
NBC is on channel 5 from KSDK, broadcasting from 65 miles W of Centralia. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is Fox in Centralia, IL?
Fox is on channel 2 from KTVI, broadcasting from 67 miles W of Centralia. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CW in Centralia, IL?
CW is on channel 11 from KPLR-TV, broadcasting from 67 miles W of Centralia. Estimated signal: weak.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Centralia?
27 transmitters within 70 miles of Centralia; 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 Centralia?
Point your antenna W, at about 272°. The main network towers for Centralia sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Centralia?
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 Centralia?
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 Centralia?
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
- Salem12 mi
- Nashville18 mi
- Mount Vernon19 mi
- Breese22 mi
- Okawville23 mi
- Ina29 mi
- Greenville30 mi
- Vandalia30 mi
- Wayne City32 mi
- Highland33 mi
- Pinckneyville34 mi
- Mascoutah36 mi
- Du Quoin36 mi
- Flora36 mi
- Benton38 mi
- Shiloh41 mi
- Sparta41 mi
- O'Fallon42 mi
- Altamont43 mi
- Ramsey43 mi
- Troy43 mi
- Fairfield43 mi
- McLeansboro44 mi
- West Frankfort45 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 Centralia; signal estimates ignore terrain.