TV channels & antenna towers in Midlothian, Illinois

Midlothian 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, 18 miles to the NNE.

33TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
18 mito the closest tower
14,847population

Network channels in Midlothian

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 18 mi13° NNE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 18 mi13° NNE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 18 mi13° NNE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 18 mi13° NNE FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 18 mi13° NNE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 18 mi13° NNE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 18 mi14° NNE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 18 mi14° NNE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 18 mi14° NNE StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 20 mi14° NNE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 20 mi14° NNE WeakChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Midlothian

With roughly 14,800 residents, Midlothian is a town in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 33 licensed TV transmitters: 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.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 0 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.

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 (strong 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 Midlothian

Point your antenna NNE, at about 13°. The main network towers for Midlothian 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 18 miles north of Midlothian (13° NNE). That one direction covers every station on the site.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Midlothian

The farthest main network tower for Midlothian is WBBM-TV (CBS), 18 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 Midlothian

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power18 mi 13° NNEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power18 mi 13° NNEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A18 mi 13° NNEFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A18 mi 13° NNEFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power18 mi 14° NNEGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power18 mi 14° NNEStrongAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power19 mi 15° NNEFairChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power19 mi 14° NNEFairOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power20 mi 14° NNEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A20 mi 14° NNEFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power20 mi 14° NNEFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power20 mi 14° NNEFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power20 mi 14° NNEFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A20 mi 14° NNEFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power20 mi 14° NNEFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A20 mi 14° NNEFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A20 mi 14° NNEFairPlano, IL
WYINFull power25 mi 139° SEGoodGary, IN
WODN-LDLow power27 mi 90° EWeakPortage, IN
WAAA-LDLow power37 mi 101° EWeakValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power44 mi 274° WPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power44 mi 274° WPoorEarlville, IL

How Midlothian compares with the rest of Illinois

With 28 stations at fair strength or better, Midlothian ranks 70th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 18 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, 5.0 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Midlothian: 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 14° NNE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 18 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 Midlothian, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles NNE of Midlothian. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Midlothian, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles NNE of Midlothian. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Midlothian, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles NNE of Midlothian. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Midlothian, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 18 miles NNE of Midlothian. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Midlothian, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles NNE of Midlothian. Estimated signal: strong.

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

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Midlothian; 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 Midlothian?

Point your antenna NNE, at about 13°. The main network towers for Midlothian sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Midlothian?

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 Midlothian?

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 Midlothian?

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 Midlothian; signal estimates ignore terrain.