RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in Douglas, Illinois

Douglas has 34 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 29 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WBBM-TV (CBS), 3.2 miles to the NNW.

Open Douglas in the live finder
34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
3.2 mito the closest tower
20,323population

Network channels in Douglas

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 3.2 mi344° NNW StrongChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 3.2 mi344° NNW StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 3.2 mi344° NNW StrongChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 3.2 mi343° NNW StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 3.2 mi343° NNW StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 3.2 mi343° NNW StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 3.2 mi343° NNW StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 3.2 mi343° NNW StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 3.2 mi343° NNW StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 4.4 mi357° N StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 4.4 mi357° N FairChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Douglas

With roughly 20,300 residents, Douglas is a town in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 34 licensed TV transmitters: 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 28 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.

The strongest network signals here 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.

Which way to point your antenna in Douglas

Point your antenna NNW, at about 343°. The main network towers for Douglas 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 3.2 miles north of Douglas (344° NNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

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

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Douglas

The farthest main network tower for Douglas is WFLD (Fox), 3.2 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

WBBM-TV is only 3.2 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.

Other stations near Douglas

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WJYSFull power3.2 mi 344° NNWStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power3.2 mi 344° NNWStrongAurora, IL
WTTWFull power3.2 mi 343° NNWStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power3.2 mi 343° NNWStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A3.2 mi 343° NNWGoodArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A3.2 mi 343° NNWStrongChicago, IL
WDCI-LDLow power3.5 mi 357° NGoodChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power3.8 mi 353° NGoodOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power4.4 mi 357° NGoodNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A4.4 mi 357° NGoodChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power4.4 mi 357° NGoodChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power4.4 mi 357° NGoodChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power4.4 mi 357° NGoodArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A4.4 mi 357° NGoodSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power4.4 mi 357° NGoodChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A4.4 mi 357° NGoodChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A4.4 mi 357° NGoodPlano, IL
WODN-LDLow power26 mi 123° ESEWeakPortage, IN
WYINFull power35 mi 161° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power38 mi 125° SEWeakValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power51 mi 257° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power51 mi 257° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WYGN-LDLow power66 mi 82° EPoorBerrien Springs, MI

How Douglas compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, Douglas ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 3.2 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, 2.0 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Douglas: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 343° NNW, the direction of WFLD (Fox), 3.2 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 29 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Douglas, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 3.2 miles NNW of Douglas. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Douglas, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 3.2 miles NNW of Douglas. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Douglas, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 3.2 miles NNW of Douglas. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Douglas, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 3.2 miles NNW of Douglas. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Douglas, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 3.2 miles NNW of Douglas. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Douglas?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of Douglas; around 29 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Douglas?

Point your antenna NNW, at about 343°. The main network towers for Douglas sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Douglas?

Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Douglas?

WBBM-TV is only 3.2 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.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Douglas?

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

More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Douglas; signal estimates ignore terrain.