TV channels & antenna towers in Mattoon, Illinois

Mattoon has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WEIU-TV, 7.0 miles to the NNE.

Open Mattoon in the live finder

26TV transmitters within 70 miles

6networks over the air

7.0 mito the closest tower

18,113population

Network channels in Mattoon

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CWWBUICW	23	41 mi	323° NW	Good	Decatur, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	41 mi	323° NW	Good	Decatur, IL
CBSWCIACBS	3	43 mi	355° N	Good	Champaign, IL
ABCWICDABC	15	47 mi	31° NNE	Good	Champaign, IL
FOXWCCUFox	27	47 mi	31° NNE	Fair	Urbana, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	54 mi	309° NW	Poor	Springfield, IL
CWWTWOCW	2.2	55 mi	107° ESE	Fair	Terre Haute, IN
ABCWAWV-TVABC	38	55 mi	107° ESE	Fair	Terre Haute, IN
FOXWTHI-TVFox	10.2	55 mi	107° ESE	Weak	Terre Haute, IN
ABCWICSABC	20	62 mi	291° WNW	Fair	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	62 mi	291° WNW	Fair	Springfield, IL

Over-the-air TV in Mattoon

Mattoon is a city of about 18,100 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 26 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 1 Class A, 9 low-power and 2 translators. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 5 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 8 between 25 and 45 miles, and 16 farther out. Three of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Springfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Springfield's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 15 (WICD), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 55 (WRSP-TV), CW on channel 23 (WBUI) and ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD). 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 Mattoon

Point your antenna NNW, at about 339°. The main network towers for Mattoon sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, WBUI and WAND, transmit from the same tower site about 41 miles northwest of Mattoon (323° NW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Mattoon at fair strength or better, 22% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across four other directions.

All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Mattoon, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Mattoon

The farthest main network tower for Mattoon is WCIA (CBS), 43 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WICD (ABC), 47 miles northeast and WRSP-TV (Fox), 62 miles west, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are 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 those.

WEIU-TV is only 7.0 miles away with a strong signal. Signals that strong can overload an amplifier, so start without one and add it only if distant channels are missing. Read when an amplifier helps.

Other stations near Mattoon

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WEIU-TVFull power	7.0 mi	30° NNE	Strong	Charleston, IL
W33EK-DTranslator	16 mi	181° S	Fair	Effingham, IL
WEDK-LDLow power	30 mi	207° SSW	Poor	Effingham, IL
WILL-TVFull power	42 mi	338° NNW	Fair	Urbana, IL
WLCF-LDLow power	42 mi	321° NW	Poor	Decatur, IL
W27EL-DLow power	44 mi	10° N	Poor	Champaign, IL
WBXC-CDClass A	44 mi	9° N	Poor	Champaign/Urbana, IL
WUSI-TVFull power	46 mi	164° SSE	Fair	Olney, IL
W07DD-DLow power	47 mi	5° N	Poor	Champaign, IL
W19FD-DLow power	55 mi	107° ESE	Poor	Terre Haute, IN
W24FB-DLow power	55 mi	107° ESE	Poor	Brazil, IN
W23EQ-DTranslator	58 mi	37° NE	Poor	Danville, IL
WCIXFull power	64 mi	290° WNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W23EW-DLow power	64 mi	287° WNW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	69 mi	288° WNW	Poor	Springfield, IL

How Mattoon compares with the rest of Illinois

With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Mattoon ranks 481st of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 41 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 Decatur, 40 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Mattoon: 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 355° N, the direction of WCIA (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 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 Mattoon, IL?

ABC is on channel 15 from WICD, broadcasting from 47 miles NNE of Mattoon. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Mattoon, IL?

CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 43 miles N of Mattoon. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Mattoon, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 41 miles NW of Mattoon. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Mattoon, IL?

Fox is on channel 55 from WRSP-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles WNW of Mattoon. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is CW in Mattoon, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 41 miles NW of Mattoon. Estimated signal: good.

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

26 transmitters within 70 miles of Mattoon; around 13 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 Mattoon?

Point your antenna NNW, at about 339°. The main network towers for Mattoon sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Mattoon?

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. Picking up ABC and Fox from up to 62 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Mattoon?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Mattoon?

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 Mattoon; signal estimates ignore terrain.