TV channels & antenna towers in De Soto, Illinois

De Soto is a small community of about 1,580 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 15 licensed TV transmitters: 9 full-power, 2 Class A, 3 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 9 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.

4 of them are within 25 miles of De Soto, 5 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 6 are more than 45 miles out. Two of the 5 network stations in range are licensed to Cape Girardeau, MO, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Cape Girardeau's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 3 (WSIL-TV), NBC on channel 6 (WPSD-TV), Fox on channel 23 (KBSI), CW on channel 12.2 (KFVS-TV) and Telemundo on channel 18 (WQWQ-LD). No CBS affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is KMOV in St. Louis, MO, 76 miles to the northwest. Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 5 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around De Soto are in different directions: ABC 126° SE (24 mi) and Fox 213° SSW (34 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Of the 4 full-power and Class A network signals that reach De Soto at fair strength or better, 50% 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 De Soto, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

The farthest main network tower for De Soto is KBSI (Fox), 34 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WPSD-TV (NBC), 45 miles south, 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.

With 9 stations at fair strength or better, De Soto ranks 656th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 24 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 Carbondale, 6.3 miles away.