TV channels & antenna towers in Inverness, Illinois

Inverness has 58 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 22 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWTO-TV, 29 miles to the ESE.

58TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
29 mito the closest tower
7,583population

Network channels in Inverness

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 29 mi122° ESE GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 29 mi122° ESE WeakChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 29 mi125° SE GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 29 mi125° SE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 29 mi125° SE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 29 mi125° SE FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 29 mi125° SE GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 29 mi125° SE GoodChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 29 mi125° SE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 29 mi125° SE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 29 mi125° SE GoodChicago, IL
FOXWQRF-TVFox39 56 mi282° WNW WeakRockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC17 56 mi282° WNW WeakRockford, IL
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo23 56 mi283° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS23 56 mi283° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CWWSLNCW19 56 mi283° WNW WeakFreeport, IL
NBCWREXNBC13 60 mi282° WNW PoorRockford, IL
IONWPXE-TVION55 68 mi8° N WeakKenosha, WI
FOXWITIFox6 68 mi8° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
NBCWTMJ-TVNBC4 68 mi8° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
CWWVTVCW18 68 mi8° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
MeTVWBME-CDMeTV41.1 69 mi7° N PoorMilwaukee, WI
CBSWDJT-TVCBS58 69 mi7° N WeakMilwaukee, WI
TLMWYTU-LDTelemundo63 69 mi7° N PoorMilwaukee, WI
ABCWISN-TVABC12 69 mi7° N WeakMilwaukee, WI

Over-the-air TV in Inverness

Inverness, Illinois has a population of about 7,580. There are 58 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 30 full-power, 9 Class A, 18 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 22 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

0 of them are within 25 miles of Inverness, 30 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 28 are more than 45 miles out. Ten of the 25 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 (good 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 Inverness

Point your antenna SE, at about 125°. The main network towers for Inverness 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 29 miles southeast of Inverness (122° ESE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Inverness at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Inverness

The farthest main network tower for Inverness is WBBM-TV (CBS), 29 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

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 Inverness

Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 33; see all in the finder.

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WWTO-TVFull power29 mi 122° ESEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A29 mi 122° ESEWeakChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power29 mi 122° ESEFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power29 mi 122° ESEFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power29 mi 122° ESEWeakArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A29 mi 122° ESEFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power29 mi 122° ESEWeakChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A29 mi 122° ESEFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A29 mi 122° ESEFairPlano, IL
WTTWFull power29 mi 125° SEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power29 mi 125° SEGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A29 mi 125° SEWeakArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A29 mi 125° SEFairChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power29 mi 123° ESEWeakOakwood Hills, IL
WJYSFull power29 mi 125° SEGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power29 mi 125° SEGoodAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power29 mi 123° ESEFairChicago, IL
WAUR-LDLow power40 mi 218° SWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power40 mi 218° SWPoorEarlville, IL
WODN-LDLow power58 mi 126° SEPoorPortage, IN
WDMW-LDLow power59 mi 355° NPoorMilwaukee, WI
WTAS-LDLow power59 mi 355° NPoorWaukesha, WI
W35DY-DTranslator64 mi 301° WNWPoorStoughton, WI
WYINFull power64 mi 146° SEWeakGary, IN
WVCY-TVFull power68 mi 8° NWeakMilwaukee, WI

How Inverness compares with the rest of Illinois

With 22 stations at fair strength or better, Inverness ranks 275th 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 Palatine, 3.2 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Inverness: 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 125° SE, 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 22 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 Inverness, IL?

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

What channel is CBS in Inverness, IL?

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

What channel is NBC in Inverness, IL?

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

What channel is Fox in Inverness, IL?

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

What channel is CW in Inverness, IL?

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

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

58 transmitters within 70 miles of Inverness; around 22 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 Inverness?

Point your antenna SE, at about 125°. The main network towers for Inverness sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Inverness?

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 Inverness?

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 Inverness?

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 Inverness; signal estimates ignore terrain.