TV channels & antenna towers in Des Plaines, Illinois

Des Plaines, Illinois has a population of about 58,700. Our map shows 40 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 18 full-power, 7 Class A and 15 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 28 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Ten of the 16 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 (good 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 SE, at about 130°. The main network towers for Des Plaines sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WGBO-DT, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV and WWME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 16 miles southeast of Des Plaines (125° SE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Des Plaines at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

The farthest main network tower for Des Plaines is WBBM-TV (CBS), 17 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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 28 stations at fair strength or better, Des Plaines ranks 70th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 16 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 Chicago, 17 miles away.