TV channels & antenna towers in Chicago Loop, Illinois

Chicago Loop, Illinois has a population of about 33,400. There are 34 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power, 7 Class A and 12 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 29 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 29 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Ten of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (WLS-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WBBM-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WMAQ-TV), Fox on channel 32 (WFLD), CW on channel 9 (WGN-TV), ION on channel 38 (WCPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WSNS-TV), Univision on channel 66 (WGBO-DT) and MeTV on channel 26.3 (WCIU-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (strong signal) and Univision (strong signal). 6 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Point your antenna SSW, at about 200°. The main network towers for Chicago Loop sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WBBM-TV, WCPX-TV, WLS-TV, WFLD and WMAQ-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 0.4 miles south of Chicago Loop (198° SSW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Chicago Loop at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the southwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

The farthest main network tower for Chicago Loop is WFLD (Fox), 0.4 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

WBBM-TV is only 0.4 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.

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, Chicago Loop ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 0.4 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

28% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Near North Side, 1.1 miles away.