TV channels & antenna towers in Glencoe, Illinois

Glencoe has 51 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 28 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWTO-TV, 18 miles to the SSE.

51TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
18 mito the closest tower
8,945population

Network channels in Glencoe

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 18 mi157° SSE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 18 mi157° SSE WeakChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 19 mi160° SSE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 19 mi160° SSE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 19 mi160° SSE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 19 mi160° SSE FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 19 mi160° SSE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 19 mi160° SSE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 19 mi160° SSE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 19 mi160° SSE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 19 mi160° SSE StrongChicago, IL
IONWPXE-TVION55 66 mi354° N WeakKenosha, WI
FOXWITIFox6 66 mi354° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
NBCWTMJ-TVNBC4 66 mi354° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
CWWVTVCW18 67 mi354° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
ABCWISN-TVABC12 68 mi353° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
MeTVWBME-CDMeTV41.1 68 mi353° N PoorMilwaukee, WI
CBSWDJT-TVCBS58 68 mi353° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo63 68 mi353° N PoorMilwaukee, WI

Over-the-air TV in Glencoe

Glencoe, Illinois has a population of about 8,950. There are 51 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 26 full-power, 9 Class A and 16 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 28 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

28 of them are within 25 miles of Glencoe, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 23 are more than 45 miles out. Ten of the 19 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.

For the networks, the best local options 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 (strong signal). 11 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 Glencoe

Point your antenna SSE, at about 160°. The main network towers for Glencoe sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WGBO-DT, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV and WWME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 18 miles southeast of Glencoe (157° SSE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

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

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Glencoe

The farthest main network tower for Glencoe is WBBM-TV (CBS), 19 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

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 Glencoe

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 32; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WWTO-TVFull power18 mi 157° SSEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A18 mi 157° SSEFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power18 mi 157° SSEFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power18 mi 157° SSEFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power18 mi 157° SSEFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A18 mi 157° SSEFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power18 mi 157° SSEFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A18 mi 157° SSEFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A18 mi 157° SSEFairPlano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power18 mi 158° SSEFairOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power19 mi 158° SSEFairChicago, IL
WTTWFull power19 mi 160° SSEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power19 mi 160° SSEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A19 mi 160° SSEFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A19 mi 160° SSEFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power19 mi 160° SSEGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power19 mi 160° SSEStrongAurora, IL
WODN-LDLow power46 mi 140° SEPoorPortage, IN
WAUR-LDLow power53 mi 233° SWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power53 mi 233° SWPoorEarlville, IL
WAAA-LDLow power57 mi 138° SEPoorValparaiso, IN
WYINFull power57 mi 161° SSEFairGary, IN
WDMW-LDLow power62 mi 339° NNWPoorMilwaukee, WI
WTAS-LDLow power62 mi 339° NNWPoorWaukesha, WI
WVCY-TVFull power66 mi 354° NWeakMilwaukee, WI

How Glencoe compares with the rest of Illinois

With 28 stations at fair strength or better, Glencoe ranks 70th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 18 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 Northbrook, 3.7 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Glencoe: 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 160° SSE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 19 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 28 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 Glencoe, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Glencoe. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Glencoe, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Glencoe. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Glencoe, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Glencoe. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Glencoe, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Glencoe. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Glencoe, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 19 miles SSE of Glencoe. Estimated signal: strong.

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

51 transmitters within 70 miles of Glencoe; around 28 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 Glencoe?

Point your antenna SSE, at about 160°. The main network towers for Glencoe sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Glencoe?

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 Glencoe?

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 Glencoe?

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 Glencoe; signal estimates ignore terrain.