TV channels & antenna towers in Frankfort, Illinois

Frankfort has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 23 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYIN, 25 miles to the ESE.

33TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
25 mito the closest tower
18,653population

Network channels in Frankfort

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 29 mi22° NNE GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 29 mi22° NNE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 29 mi22° NNE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 29 mi22° NNE FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 29 mi22° NNE GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 29 mi22° NNE GoodChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 29 mi22° NNE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 29 mi22° NNE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 29 mi22° NNE GoodChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 30 mi23° NNE GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 30 mi23° NNE PoorChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Frankfort

Frankfort is a city of about 18,700 people in Illinois. There are 33 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power, 7 Class A and 11 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 23 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 33 between 25 and 45 miles, and 0 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 (good signal) and Univision (good 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 Frankfort

Point your antenna NNE, at about 22°. The main network towers for Frankfort sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV, WWME-CD and WCIU-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 29 miles north of Frankfort (22° NNE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Frankfort at fair strength or better, 90% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Frankfort

The farthest main network tower for Frankfort is WBBM-TV (CBS), 29 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic 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.

Other stations near Frankfort

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WYINFull power25 mi 113° ESEGoodGary, IN
WTTWFull power29 mi 22° NNEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power29 mi 22° NNEGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A29 mi 22° NNEWeakArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A29 mi 22° NNEFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power29 mi 22° NNEGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power29 mi 22° NNEGoodAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power29 mi 23° NNEFairChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power29 mi 23° NNEWeakOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power30 mi 23° NNEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A30 mi 23° NNEWeakChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power30 mi 23° NNEFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power30 mi 23° NNEFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power30 mi 23° NNEWeakArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A30 mi 23° NNEFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power30 mi 23° NNEWeakChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A30 mi 23° NNEFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A30 mi 23° NNEFairPlano, IL
WODN-LDLow power35 mi 75° ENEPoorPortage, IN
WAUR-LDLow power39 mi 288° WNWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power39 mi 288° WNWPoorEarlville, IL
WAAA-LDLow power43 mi 87° EPoorValparaiso, IN

How Frankfort compares with the rest of Illinois

With 23 stations at fair strength or better, Frankfort ranks 251st of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 29 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 Tinley Park, 6.3 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Frankfort: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 22° NNE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 29 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 23 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 Frankfort, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 29 miles NNE of Frankfort. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Frankfort, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 29 miles NNE of Frankfort. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Frankfort, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 29 miles NNE of Frankfort. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Frankfort, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 29 miles NNE of Frankfort. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Frankfort, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 29 miles NNE of Frankfort. Estimated signal: good.

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

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Frankfort; around 23 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 Frankfort?

Point your antenna NNE, at about 22°. The main network towers for Frankfort sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Frankfort?

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.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Frankfort?

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.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Frankfort?

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 Frankfort; signal estimates ignore terrain.