TV channels & antenna towers in Markham, Illinois

Markham has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 28 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WTTW, 20 miles to the N.

33TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
20 mito the closest tower
12,682population

Network channels in Markham

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 20 mi9° N StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 20 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 20 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 20 mi9° N FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 20 mi9° N StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 20 mi9° N StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 20 mi9° N FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 20 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 20 mi9° N StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 21 mi10° N GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 21 mi10° N WeakChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Markham

Markham is a city of about 12,700 people in Illinois. 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, 28 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

29 of them are within 25 miles of Markham, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 2 are more than 45 miles 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 best-placed network stations 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 Markham

Point your antenna N, at about 9°. The main network towers for Markham 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 20 miles north of Markham (9° N). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Markham 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 Markham, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Markham

The farthest main network tower for Markham is WBBM-TV (CBS), 20 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

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 Markham

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power20 mi 9° NGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power20 mi 9° NStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A20 mi 9° NFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A20 mi 9° NFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power20 mi 9° NGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power20 mi 9° NStrongAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power20 mi 11° NFairChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power21 mi 10° NFairOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power21 mi 10° NFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A21 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power21 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power21 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power21 mi 10° NFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A21 mi 10° NFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power21 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A21 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A21 mi 10° NFairPlano, IL
WYINFull power23 mi 138° SEGoodGary, IN
WODN-LDLow power26 mi 85° EWeakPortage, IN
WAAA-LDLow power35 mi 98° EWeakValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power46 mi 276° WPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power46 mi 276° WPoorEarlville, IL

How Markham compares with the rest of Illinois

With 28 stations at fair strength or better, Markham ranks 70th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 20 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 Oak Forest, 2.6 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Markham: 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 9° N, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 20 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 28 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 Markham, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles N of Markham. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Markham, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles N of Markham. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Markham, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles N of Markham. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Markham, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 20 miles N of Markham. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Markham, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles N of Markham. Estimated signal: strong.

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

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Markham; around 28 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 Markham?

Point your antenna N, at about 9°. The main network towers for Markham sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Markham?

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 Markham?

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 Markham?

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 Markham; signal estimates ignore terrain.