TV channels & antenna towers in Lewistown, Illinois

Lewistown has 34 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, Fox, CW, ION and MeTV. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WMEC, 30 miles to the W.

Open Lewistown in the live finder

34TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

30 mito the closest tower

2,261population

Network channels in Lewistown

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	36 mi	63° ENE	Good	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	36 mi	63° ENE	Good	Peoria, IL
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	36 mi	62° ENE	Good	Peoria, IL
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	54 mi	71° ENE	Good	Bloomington, IL
ABCWICSABC	20	55 mi	138° SE	Good	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	55 mi	138° SE	Good	Springfield, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	59 mi	119° ESE	Poor	Springfield, IL
FOXKLJBFox	18	65 mi	350° N	Fair	Davenport, IA
ABCWQAD-TVABC	8	65 mi	350° N	Fair	Moline, IL
TBNWMWC-TVTrinity	53	65 mi	350° N	Poor	Galesburg, IL
CWKGCWCW	26	66 mi	350° N	Fair	Burlington, IA
ABCKHQA-TVABC	7.2	69 mi	245° WSW	Weak	Hannibal, MO
CWWGEM-TVCW	10.2	69 mi	245° WSW	Weak	Quincy, IL

Over-the-air TV in Lewistown

With roughly 2,260 residents, Lewistown is a small community in Illinois. Our map shows 34 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 20 full-power, 11 low-power and 3 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 8 at good or strong strength.

0 of them are within 25 miles of Lewistown, 7 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 27 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 13 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 20 (WICS), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 25.3 (WEEK-TV), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD), MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). No NBC affiliate is listed within 70 miles; the nearest one in our data is WAND in Decatur, IL, 76 miles to the southeast. 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 Lewistown

The main network towers around Lewistown are in different directions: ABC 138° SE (55 mi), CBS 62° ENE (36 mi) and Fox 71° ENE (54 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, WHOI, WEEK-TV and WMBD-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 36 miles northeast of Lewistown (63° ENE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Lewistown at fair strength or better, 33% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across three other directions.

WYZZ-TV (Fox) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Lewistown. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Lewistown

The farthest main network tower for Lewistown is WICS (ABC), 55 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Lewistown

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WMECFull power	30 mi	271° W	Good	Macomb, IL
WTVPFull power	35 mi	62° ENE	Good	Peoria, IL
WSIO-LDLow power	35 mi	46° NE	Weak	Peoria, IL
W27EQ-DLow power	39 mi	66° ENE	Poor	Peoria, IL
W19EE-DLow power	46 mi	183° S	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
W31EH-DLow power	48 mi	145° SE	Poor	Springfield, IL
W27ES-DLow power	48 mi	145° SE	Poor	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	51 mi	145° SE	Poor	Springfield, IL
WCIXFull power	54 mi	141° SE	Poor	Springfield, IL
WSECFull power	55 mi	174° S	Fair	Jacksonville, IL
W29ES-DTranslator	55 mi	174° S	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
W23EW-DLow power	55 mi	143° SE	Poor	Springfield, IL
WQPT-TVFull power	65 mi	350° N	Fair	Moline, IL
KQINFull power	65 mi	350° N	Poor	Davenport, IA
K18NZ-DTranslator	66 mi	271° W	Poor	Keokuk, IA
WQECFull power	67 mi	245° WSW	Poor	Quincy, IL
WTJRFull power	68 mi	245° WSW	Weak	Quincy, IL
W27DF-DLow power	68 mi	245° WSW	Poor	Quincy, IL
K14SU-DLow power	68 mi	245° WSW	Poor	Keokuk, IA
W17EH-DLow power	68 mi	245° WSW	Poor	Quincy, IL
K28JD-DTranslator	69 mi	284° WNW	Poor	Fort Madison, IA

How Lewistown compares with the rest of Illinois

With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Lewistown ranks 481st of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 36 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Pekin, 30 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Lewistown: step by step

Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
Point it toward 138° SE, the direction of WICS (ABC), 55 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 13 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 Lewistown, IL?

ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 55 miles SE of Lewistown. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Lewistown, IL?

CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles ENE of Lewistown. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Lewistown, IL?

Fox is on channel 43 from WYZZ-TV, broadcasting from 54 miles ENE of Lewistown. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Lewistown, IL?

CW is on channel 25.3 from WEEK-TV, broadcasting from 36 miles ENE of Lewistown. Estimated signal: good.

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

34 transmitters within 70 miles of Lewistown; around 13 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Lewistown?

What kind of antenna do I need in Lewistown?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below. The towers are spread over about 75° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Lewistown?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Lewistown?

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 Lewistown; signal estimates ignore terrain.