TV channels & antenna towers in Lansing, Illinois
Lansing has 38 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 26 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYIN, 17 miles to the SSE.
Network channels in Lansing
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSWBBM-TVCBS | 2 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| IONWCPX-TVION | 38 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| ABCWLS-TVABC | 7 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Strong | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWFLDFox | 32 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Strong | Chicago, IL |
| NBCWMAQ-TVNBC | 5 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo | 44 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWWME-CDMeTV | 23.1 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV | 26.3 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Strong | Chicago, IL |
| CWWGN-TVCW | 9 | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| UNIWGBO-DTUnivision | 66 | 23 mi | 349° N | Good | Joliet, IL |
| IONKPDS-LDION | 49.4 | 23 mi | 349° N | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWSBT-TVFox | 22.2 | 68 mi | 87° E | Weak | South Bend, IN |
| NBCWNDU-TVNBC | 16 | 69 mi | 87° E | Weak | South Bend, IN |
Over-the-air TV in Lansing
Lansing is a town of about 28,300 people in Illinois. There are 38 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 19 full-power, 7 Class A and 12 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 26 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 30 transmitters are within 25 miles, 1 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 farther out. Ten of the 13 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). 8 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 Lansing
Point your antenna NNW, at about 347°. The main network towers for Lansing sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Ten network stations, WBBM-TV, WCPX-TV, WLS-TV, WFLD and WMAQ-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 22 miles north of Lansing (347° NNW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lansing at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Lansing, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Lansing
The farthest main network tower for Lansing is WFLD (Fox), 22 miles away with a strong 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 Lansing
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WYINFull power | 17 mi | 154° SSE | Good | Gary, IN |
| WODN-LDLow power | 18 mi | 77° ENE | Fair | Portage, IN |
| WJYSFull power | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Hammond, IN |
| WXFT-DTFull power | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Strong | Aurora, IL |
| WTTWFull power | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| WPWR-TVFull power | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Strong | Gary, IN |
| WEDE-CDClass A | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Weak | Arlington Heights, IL |
| WMEU-CDClass A | 22 mi | 347° NNW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WDCI-LDLow power | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WCHU-LDLow power | 23 mi | 349° NNW | Weak | Oakwood Hills, IL |
| WWTO-TVFull power | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Naperville, IL |
| WOCK-CDClass A | 23 mi | 349° N | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| W31EZ-DLow power | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WESV-LDLow power | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WRJK-LDLow power | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Arlington Heights, IL |
| W27EB-DClass A | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Sugar Grove, IL |
| WRME-LDLow power | 23 mi | 349° N | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WPVN-CDClass A | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WLPD-CDClass A | 23 mi | 349° N | Fair | Plano, IL |
| WAAA-LDLow power | 27 mi | 96° E | Fair | Valparaiso, IN |
| WAUR-LDLow power | 54 mi | 278° W | Poor | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 54 mi | 278° W | Poor | Earlville, IL |
| WYGN-LDLow power | 67 mi | 65° ENE | Poor | Berrien Springs, MI |
| WSJVFull power | 68 mi | 87° E | Weak | Elkhart, IN |
| WNITFull power | 70 mi | 87° E | Poor | South Bend, IN |
How Lansing compares with the rest of Illinois
With 26 stations at fair strength or better, Lansing ranks 174th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 22 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 Hammond, 2.4 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Lansing: 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 347° NNW, the direction of WFLD (Fox), 22 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 26 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 Lansing, IL?
ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles NNW of Lansing. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Lansing, IL?
CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles NNW of Lansing. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Lansing, IL?
NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles NNW of Lansing. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Lansing, IL?
Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 22 miles NNW of Lansing. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Lansing, IL?
CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles NNW of Lansing. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Lansing?
38 transmitters within 70 miles of Lansing; around 26 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 Lansing?
Point your antenna NNW, at about 347°. The main network towers for Lansing sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Lansing?
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 Lansing?
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 Lansing?
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
- Lynwood2.6 mi
- Calumet City3.5 mi
- Glenwood3.6 mi
- South Holland4.3 mi
- Sauk Village5.5 mi
- Dolton6.2 mi
- Harvey6.4 mi
- Chicago Heights6.4 mi
- Homewood6.6 mi
- Riverdale6.8 mi
- Flossmoor7.7 mi
- Hazel Crest8.1 mi
- Steger8.3 mi
- Markham8.3 mi
- Park Forest8.7 mi
- Posen8.7 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Munster, IN1.4 mi
- Hammond, IN2.4 mi
- Highland, IN4.6 mi
- Dyer, IN5.0 mi
- Griffith, IN6.5 mi
- East Chicago, IN6.7 mi
- Schererville, IN7.4 mi
- Saint John, IN8.7 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 Lansing; signal estimates ignore terrain.