TV channels & antenna towers in El Paso, Illinois
El Paso has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYZZ-TV (Fox), 11 miles to the SW.
Network channels in El Paso
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWYZZ-TVFox | 43 | 11 mi | 233° SW | Strong | Bloomington, IL |
| CBSWMBD-TVCBS | 31 | 28 mi | 255° WSW | Good | Peoria, IL |
| MeTVWHOIMeTV | 19.6 | 29 mi | 255° WSW | Good | Peoria, IL |
| CWWEEK-TVCW | 25.3 | 29 mi | 255° WSW | Good | Peoria, IL |
| CBSWCIACBS | 3 | 53 mi | 146° SE | Good | Champaign, IL |
| IONWCQA-LDION | 16.4 | 54 mi | 189° S | Poor | Springfield, IL |
| NBCWANDNBC | 17 | 55 mi | 170° S | Good | Decatur, IL |
| CWWBUICW | 23 | 55 mi | 170° S | Good | Decatur, IL |
| ABCWICSABC | 20 | 69 mi | 200° SSW | Fair | Springfield, IL |
| FOXWRSP-TVFox | 55 | 69 mi | 200° SSW | Fair | Springfield, IL |
Over-the-air TV in El Paso
El Paso is a town of about 2,800 people in Illinois. There are 20 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 1 Class A and 8 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 6 between 25 and 45 miles, and 13 farther out. Three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Peoria, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Peoria's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 20 (WICS), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 25.3 (WEEK-TV), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD) and MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI). 2 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 El Paso
Point your antenna WSW, at about 244°. The main network towers for El Paso sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Three network stations, WMBD-TV, WHOI and WEEK-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 28 miles west of El Paso (255° WSW). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach El Paso at fair strength or better, 44% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across three other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from El Paso, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for El Paso
The farthest main network tower for El Paso is WMBD-TV (CBS), 28 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
WICS (ABC), 69 miles south and WAND (NBC), 55 miles south, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are 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 those.
WYZZ-TV is only 11 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 El Paso
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W27EQ-DLow power | 25 mi | 252° WSW | Fair | Peoria, IL |
| WTVPFull power | 30 mi | 255° WSW | Good | Peoria, IL |
| WSIO-LDLow power | 34 mi | 270° W | Weak | Peoria, IL |
| WILL-TVFull power | 52 mi | 159° SSE | Fair | Urbana, IL |
| W07DD-DLow power | 55 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Champaign, IL |
| WLCF-LDLow power | 55 mi | 172° S | Poor | Decatur, IL |
| WBXC-CDClass A | 59 mi | 137° SE | Poor | Champaign/Urbana, IL |
| W27EL-DLow power | 60 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Champaign, IL |
| WAUR-LDLow power | 68 mi | 20° NNE | Poor | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 68 mi | 20° NNE | Poor | Earlville, IL |
How El Paso compares with the rest of Illinois
With 12 stations at fair strength or better, El Paso ranks 534th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 11 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 Normal, 16 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in El Paso: step by step
- Mount the antenna in the attic or high on the wall facing the towers, keeping the cable to the TV as short as you can.
- Point it toward 255° WSW, the direction of WMBD-TV (CBS), 28 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 12 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 El Paso, IL?
ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 69 miles SSW of El Paso. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is CBS in El Paso, IL?
CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles WSW of El Paso. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in El Paso, IL?
NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 55 miles S of El Paso. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in El Paso, IL?
Fox is on channel 43 from WYZZ-TV, broadcasting from 11 miles SW of El Paso. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in El Paso, IL?
CW is on channel 25.3 from WEEK-TV, broadcasting from 29 miles WSW of El Paso. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in El Paso?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of El Paso; around 12 of them are likely to be receivable with amplified indoor or attic 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 El Paso?
Point your antenna WSW, at about 244°. The main network towers for El Paso sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in El Paso?
Amplified indoor or attic antenna (25–45 miles). Towers are at medium range. An amplified indoor antenna can work; an attic-mounted antenna is the safer choice. Picking up ABC and NBC from up to 69 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in El Paso?
WICS (ABC), 69 miles south and WAND (NBC), 55 miles south, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are 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 those.
Is there an app to find TV towers in El Paso?
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
- Minonk11 mi
- Eureka13 mi
- Lexington14 mi
- Normal16 mi
- Bloomington18 mi
- Washburn19 mi
- Washington21 mi
- Pontiac22 mi
- Colfax24 mi
- Morton25 mi
- Fairbury26 mi
- Chillicothe28 mi
- Streator28 mi
- Peoria Heights29 mi
- Heyworth30 mi
- North Peoria30 mi
- Le Roy30 mi
- East Peoria30 mi
- Peoria30 mi
- Creve Coeur31 mi
- Henry31 mi
- Richmond32 mi
- Bartonville34 mi
- Pekin35 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 El Paso; signal estimates ignore terrain.