TV channels & antenna towers in Germantown, Illinois

Germantown has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WPXS, 23 miles to the SW.

26TV transmitters within 70 miles
8networks over the air
23 mito the closest tower
1,285population

Network channels in Germantown

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CBSKMOVCBS4 41 mi268° W GoodSt. Louis, MO
TLMWODK-LDTelemundo45 43 mi272° W PoorSaint Louis, MO
ABCKDNL-TVABC30 43 mi273° W GoodSt. Louis, MO
NBCKSDKNBC5 43 mi272° W GoodSt. Louis, MO
CWKPLR-TVCW11 45 mi269° W GoodSt. Louis, MO
FOXKTVIFox2 45 mi269° W GoodSt. Louis, MO
IONWRBUION46 53 mi258° WSW GoodEast St. Louis, IL
MeTVKNLCMeTV24.1 56 mi257° WSW GoodSt. Louis, MO

Over-the-air TV in Germantown

Germantown, Illinois has a population of about 1,290. There are 26 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 10 full-power, 5 Class A and 11 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 3 transmitters are within 25 miles, 14 between 25 and 45 miles, and 9 farther out. Six of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to St. Louis, MO, so most of the network channels you will find here come from St. Louis's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 30 (KDNL-TV), CBS on channel 4 (KMOV), NBC on channel 5 (KSDK), Fox on channel 2 (KTVI), CW on channel 11 (KPLR-TV), ION on channel 46 (WRBU), Telemundo on channel 45 (WODK-LD) and MeTV on channel 24.1 (KNLC). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak signal). 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 Germantown

Point your antenna W, at about 271°. The main network towers for Germantown sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, KDNL-TV and KSDK, transmit from the same tower site about 43 miles west of Germantown (273° W). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Germantown at fair strength or better, all arrive from the west, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Germantown

The farthest main network tower for Germantown is KSDK (NBC), 43 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

KTVI (Fox), 45 miles west, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is 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 that one.

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 Germantown

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WPXSFull power23 mi 236° SWGoodMount Vernon, IL
W09DL-DLow power23 mi 236° SWWeakMount Vernon, IL
WLEH-LDLow power23 mi 236° SWFairSt., IL
WXSL-LDLow power25 mi 289° WNWFairSt. Louis, MO
W29CI-DClass A29 mi 89° EFairSalem, IL
WSIU-TVFull power35 mi 153° SSEFairCarbondale, IL
KEFN-CDClass A36 mi 279° WFairSt. Louis, MO
W36EX-DClass A40 mi 310° NWWeakAlton, IL
KDTL-LDLow power41 mi 268° WPoorSt. Louis, MO
KUMO-LDLow power43 mi 272° WPoorSt Louis, MO
KPTN-LDLow power43 mi 272° WPoorSt. Louis, MO
KBGU-LDLow power43 mi 272° WPoorSt. Louis, MO
K15KP-DLow power43 mi 272° WPoorSt. Louis, MO
KETCFull power47 mi 264° WGoodSt. Louis, MO
K25NG-DClass A47 mi 281° WPoorSt. Louis, MO
W15BU-DClass A59 mi 146° SEPoorJohnson City, IL
WEDK-LDLow power61 mi 52° NEPoorEffingham, IL
KDKZ-LDLow power62 mi 248° WSWPoorFarmington, MO

How Germantown compares with the rest of Illinois

With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Germantown ranks 455th 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 O'Fallon, 20 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Germantown: 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 272° W, the direction of KSDK (NBC), 43 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 14 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 Germantown, IL?

ABC is on channel 30 from KDNL-TV, broadcasting from 43 miles W of Germantown. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Germantown, IL?

CBS is on channel 4 from KMOV, broadcasting from 41 miles W of Germantown. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Germantown, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from KSDK, broadcasting from 43 miles W of Germantown. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Germantown, IL?

Fox is on channel 2 from KTVI, broadcasting from 45 miles W of Germantown. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Germantown, IL?

CW is on channel 11 from KPLR-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles W of Germantown. Estimated signal: good.

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

26 transmitters within 70 miles of Germantown; around 14 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 Germantown?

Point your antenna W, at about 271°. The main network towers for Germantown sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Germantown?

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 Fox from up to 45 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Germantown?

KTVI (Fox), 45 miles west, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is 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 that one.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Germantown?

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 Germantown; signal estimates ignore terrain.