TV channels & antenna towers in Matteson, Illinois

Matteson has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 24 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYIN, 19 miles to the ESE.

33TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
19 mito the closest tower
19,195population

Network channels in Matteson

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 26 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 26 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 26 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 26 mi9° N FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 26 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 26 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 26 mi9° N FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 26 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 26 mi9° N GoodChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 28 mi10° N GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 28 mi10° N WeakChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Matteson

Matteson, Illinois has a population of about 19,200. 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, 24 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 30 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.

For the networks, the best local options 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 Matteson

Point your antenna N, at about 9°. The main network towers for Matteson 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 26 miles north of Matteson (9° N). That one direction covers every station on the site.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Matteson

The farthest main network tower for Matteson is WBBM-TV (CBS), 26 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 Matteson

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WYINFull power19 mi 123° ESEGoodGary, IN
WTTWFull power26 mi 9° NGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power26 mi 9° NGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A26 mi 9° NWeakArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A26 mi 9° NFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power26 mi 9° NGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power26 mi 9° NGoodAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power27 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power27 mi 9° NWeakOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power28 mi 10° NFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A28 mi 10° NWeakChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power28 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power28 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power28 mi 10° NFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A28 mi 10° NFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power28 mi 10° NWeakChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A28 mi 10° NFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A28 mi 10° NFairPlano, IL
WODN-LDLow power28 mi 73° ENEWeakPortage, IN
WAAA-LDLow power36 mi 88° EWeakValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power46 mi 284° WNWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power46 mi 284° WNWPoorEarlville, IL

How Matteson compares with the rest of Illinois

With 24 stations at fair strength or better, Matteson ranks 215th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 26 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 Tinley Park, 6.1 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Matteson: 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), 26 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 24 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 Matteson, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles N of Matteson. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Matteson, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles N of Matteson. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Matteson, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles N of Matteson. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Matteson, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 26 miles N of Matteson. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Matteson, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 26 miles N of Matteson. Estimated signal: good.

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

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Matteson; around 24 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 Matteson?

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

What kind of antenna do I need in Matteson?

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 Matteson?

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 Matteson?

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 Matteson; signal estimates ignore terrain.