TV channels & antenna towers in Joliet, Illinois

Joliet has 33 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 WAUR-LD, 27 miles to the WNW.

Open Joliet in the live finder

33TV transmitters within 70 miles

9networks over the air

27 mito the closest tower

147,861population

Network channels in Joliet

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWFLDFox	32	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC	5	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo	44	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV	23.1	34 mi	43° NE	Fair	Chicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV	26.3	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW	9	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS	2	34 mi	43° NE	Fair	Chicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION	38	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC	7	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision	66	35 mi	42° NE	Good	Joliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION	49.4	35 mi	42° NE	Poor	Chicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Joliet

Joliet, Illinois has a population of about 148,000. 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, 22 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 31 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 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 Joliet

Point your antenna NE, at about 43°. The main network towers for Joliet 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 34 miles northeast of Joliet (43° NE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

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

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Joliet

The farthest main network tower for Joliet is WBBM-TV (CBS), 34 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 Joliet

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WAUR-LDLow power	27 mi	291° WNW	Fair	Aurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power	27 mi	291° WNW	Fair	Earlville, IL
WTTWFull power	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Chicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Gary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A	34 mi	43° NE	Weak	Arlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A	34 mi	43° NE	Fair	Chicago, IL
WJYSFull power	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Hammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power	34 mi	43° NE	Good	Aurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power	34 mi	44° NE	Weak	Chicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power	34 mi	43° NE	Poor	Oakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power	35 mi	42° NE	Fair	Naperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A	35 mi	42° NE	Weak	Chicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power	35 mi	42° NE	Weak	Chicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power	35 mi	42° NE	Weak	Chicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power	35 mi	42° NE	Weak	Arlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A	35 mi	42° NE	Fair	Sugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power	35 mi	42° NE	Poor	Chicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A	35 mi	42° NE	Fair	Chicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A	35 mi	42° NE	Fair	Plano, IL
WYINFull power	37 mi	109° ESE	Good	Gary, IN
WODN-LDLow power	47 mi	81° E	Poor	Portage, IN
WAAA-LDLow power	55 mi	90° E	Poor	Valparaiso, IN

How Joliet compares with the rest of Illinois

With 22 stations at fair strength or better, Joliet ranks 275th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 34 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 Chicago, 32 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Joliet: 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 43° NE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 34 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 22 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 Joliet, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles NE of Joliet. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Joliet, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles NE of Joliet. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Joliet, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles NE of Joliet. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Joliet, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 34 miles NE of Joliet. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Joliet, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 34 miles NE of Joliet. Estimated signal: good.

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

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Joliet; 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 Joliet?

Point your antenna NE, at about 43°. The main network towers for Joliet sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Joliet?

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 Joliet?

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 Joliet?

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 Joliet; signal estimates ignore terrain.