TV channels & antenna towers in Forrest, Illinois

Forrest has 22 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 7 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYZZ-TV (Fox), 41 miles to the W.

Open Forrest in the live finder

22TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

41 mito the closest tower

1,177population

Network channels in Forrest

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	41 mi	260° W	Good	Bloomington, IL
CBSWCIACBS	3	45 mi	183° S	Good	Champaign, IL
ABCWICDABC	15	54 mi	151° SSE	Good	Champaign, IL
FOXWCCUFox	27	54 mi	151° SSE	Fair	Urbana, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	60 mi	202° SSW	Good	Decatur, IL
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	60 mi	263° W	Weak	Peoria, IL
CWWBUICW	23	60 mi	202° SSW	Fair	Decatur, IL
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	60 mi	262° W	Weak	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	60 mi	262° W	Weak	Peoria, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	67 mi	217° SW	Poor	Springfield, IL

Over-the-air TV in Forrest

Forrest, Illinois has a population of about 1,180. Our map shows 22 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 12 full-power, 1 Class A, 8 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 7 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 4 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 19 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 best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 15 (WICD), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 23 (WBUI), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD) and MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI). 3 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 Forrest

The main network towers around Forrest are in different directions: CBS 183° S (45 mi) and Fox 260° W (41 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, WMBD-TV, WHOI and WEEK-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 60 miles west of Forrest (263° W). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Forrest at fair strength or better, 50% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Forrest

The farthest main network tower for Forrest is WCIA (CBS), 45 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WICD (ABC), 54 miles southeast and WAND (NBC), 60 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.

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.

Other stations near Forrest

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W07DD-DLow power	41 mi	172° S	Poor	Champaign, IL
WBXC-CDClass A	45 mi	169° SSE	Poor	Champaign/Urbana, IL
W27EL-DLow power	45 mi	168° SSE	Poor	Champaign, IL
WILL-TVFull power	51 mi	196° SSW	Fair	Urbana, IL
W23EQ-DTranslator	55 mi	138° SE	Poor	Danville, IL
W27EQ-DLow power	57 mi	261° W	Poor	Peoria, IL
WLCF-LDLow power	60 mi	204° SSW	Poor	Decatur, IL
WTVPFull power	61 mi	262° W	Poor	Peoria, IL
WAUR-LDLow power	64 mi	352° N	Poor	Aurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power	64 mi	352° N	Poor	Earlville, IL
WSIO-LDLow power	66 mi	270° W	Poor	Peoria, IL
WYINFull power	67 mi	52° NE	Weak	Gary, IN

How Forrest compares with the rest of Illinois

With 7 stations at fair strength or better, Forrest ranks 716th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 41 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, 35 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Forrest: 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 183° S, the direction of WCIA (CBS), 45 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 7 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 Forrest, IL?

ABC is on channel 15 from WICD, broadcasting from 54 miles SSE of Forrest. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Forrest, IL?

CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 45 miles S of Forrest. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Forrest, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 60 miles SSW of Forrest. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Forrest, IL?

Fox is on channel 43 from WYZZ-TV, broadcasting from 41 miles W of Forrest. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Forrest, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 60 miles SSW of Forrest. Estimated signal: fair.

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

22 transmitters within 70 miles of Forrest; around 7 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 Forrest?

The main network towers around Forrest are in different directions: CBS 183° S (45 mi) and Fox 260° W (41 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Forrest?

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. The towers are spread over about 77° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help. Picking up ABC and NBC from up to 60 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Forrest?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Forrest?

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 Forrest; signal estimates ignore terrain.