TV channels & antenna towers in Knoxville, Illinois
Knoxville has 19 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and MeTV. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WQPT-TV, 28 miles to the N.
Network channels in Knoxville
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 28 mi | 350° N | Good | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 28 mi | 350° N | Good | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 28 mi | 350° N | Fair | Galesburg, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 29 mi | 350° N | Good | Burlington, IA |
| MeTVWHOIMeTV | 19.6 | 43 mi | 116° ESE | Good | Peoria, IL |
| CWWEEK-TVCW | 25.3 | 43 mi | 116° ESE | Good | Peoria, IL |
| CBSWMBD-TVCBS | 31 | 43 mi | 116° ESE | Good | Peoria, IL |
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 45 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 45 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Rock Island, IL |
| FOXWYZZ-TVFox | 43 | 61 mi | 107° ESE | Fair | Bloomington, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Knoxville
With roughly 2,840 residents, Knoxville is a town in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 19 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 3 low-power and 2 translators. 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, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 12 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 farther out. Three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Peoria, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Peoria's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 26 (KGCW), MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 4 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 Knoxville
The main network towers around Knoxville are in different directions: ABC 350° N (28 mi), CBS 116° ESE (43 mi) and Fox 350° N (28 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KLJB, WQAD-TV, WMWC-TV and KGCW, transmit from the same tower site about 28 miles north of Knoxville (350° N). 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 Knoxville at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the north; the rest are spread across two other directions.
WMBD-TV (CBS) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Knoxville. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Knoxville
The farthest main network tower for Knoxville is WMBD-TV (CBS), 43 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.
KWQC-TV (NBC), 45 miles north, 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 Knoxville
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WQPT-TVFull power | 28 mi | 350° N | Good | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 28 mi | 350° N | Good | Davenport, IA |
| WSIO-LDLow power | 34 mi | 110° ESE | Weak | Peoria, IL |
| WTVPFull power | 42 mi | 117° ESE | Fair | Peoria, IL |
| WMECFull power | 42 mi | 214° SW | Fair | Macomb, IL |
| K33QA-DLow power | 46 mi | 334° NNW | Poor | Davenport, IA |
| W27EQ-DLow power | 47 mi | 115° ESE | Poor | Peoria, IL |
| K28JD-DTranslator | 63 mi | 253° WSW | Poor | Fort Madison, IA |
| K18NZ-DTranslator | 68 mi | 240° WSW | Poor | Keokuk, IA |
How Knoxville compares with the rest of Illinois
With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Knoxville ranks 455th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 28 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 Galesburg, 5.3 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Knoxville: 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 116° ESE, the direction of WMBD-TV (CBS), 43 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 14 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 Knoxville, IL?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles N of Knoxville. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Knoxville, IL?
CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 43 miles ESE of Knoxville. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Knoxville, IL?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 45 miles NNW of Knoxville. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Knoxville, IL?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 28 miles N of Knoxville. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CW in Knoxville, IL?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 29 miles N of Knoxville. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Knoxville?
19 transmitters within 70 miles of Knoxville; 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 Knoxville?
The main network towers around Knoxville are in different directions: ABC 350° N (28 mi), CBS 116° ESE (43 mi) and Fox 350° N (28 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Knoxville?
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. The towers are spread over about 126° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help. Picking up NBC from up to 45 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Knoxville?
KWQC-TV (NBC), 45 miles north, 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 Knoxville?
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
- Galesburg5.3 mi
- Abingdon9.4 mi
- Monmouth19 mi
- Farmington21 mi
- Bushnell27 mi
- Canton28 mi
- Princeville28 mi
- Cambridge28 mi
- Kewanee30 mi
- Aledo31 mi
- Oquawka35 mi
- Macomb37 mi
- Bartonville38 mi
- Geneseo38 mi
- Peoria Heights39 mi
- North Peoria39 mi
- Peoria39 mi
- Colona40 mi
- East Peoria40 mi
- Milan40 mi
- Creve Coeur41 mi
- Pekin41 mi
- Chillicothe42 mi
- East Moline42 mi
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Knoxville; signal estimates ignore terrain.