TV channels & antenna towers in Milan, Illinois
Milan has 13 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Trinity. About 11 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is K33QA-D, 6.2 miles to the WNW.
Network channels in Milan
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBCKWQC-TVNBC | 6 | 8.1 mi | 37° NE | Strong | Davenport, IA |
| CBSWHBF-TVCBS | 4 | 8.1 mi | 37° NE | Good | Rock Island, IL |
| CWKGCWCW | 26 | 13 mi | 131° SE | Strong | Burlington, IA |
| FOXKLJBFox | 18 | 14 mi | 134° SE | Strong | Davenport, IA |
| ABCWQAD-TVABC | 8 | 14 mi | 134° SE | Strong | Moline, IL |
| TBNWMWC-TVTrinity | 53 | 14 mi | 134° SE | Good | Galesburg, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Milan
With roughly 5,100 residents, Milan is a town in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 13 licensed TV transmitters: 10 full-power and 3 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 11 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 9 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther out. Two of the 6 network stations in range are licensed to Davenport, IA, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Davenport's stations.
The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 4 (WHBF-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 18 (KLJB), CW on channel 26 (KGCW) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 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 Milan
The main network towers around Milan are in different directions: ABC 134° SE (14 mi), CBS 37° NE (8.1 mi), NBC 37° NE (8.1 mi) and Fox 134° SE (14 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
Four network stations, KGCW, KLJB, WQAD-TV and WMWC-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 13 miles southeast of Milan (131° SE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 6 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Milan at fair strength or better, 67% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Milan, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Milan
The farthest main network tower for Milan is KLJB (Fox), 14 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
KWQC-TV is only 8.1 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 Milan
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K33QA-DLow power | 6.2 mi | 302° WNW | Good | Davenport, IA |
| WQPT-TVFull power | 14 mi | 134° SE | Strong | Moline, IL |
| KQINFull power | 14 mi | 134° SE | Good | Davenport, IA |
| KIINFull power | 44 mi | 295° WNW | Fair | Iowa City, IA |
| KWKBFull power | 44 mi | 295° WNW | Good | Iowa City, IA |
| W27EJ-DLow power | 59 mi | 58° ENE | Poor | Sterling, IL |
| WSIO-LDLow power | 68 mi | 136° SE | Poor | Peoria, IL |
How Milan compares with the rest of Illinois
With 11 stations at fair strength or better, Milan ranks 565th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 8.1 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.
28% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an indoor antenna. The nearest larger city is Rock Island, 3.9 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Milan: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 134° SE, the direction of KLJB (Fox), 14 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 11 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 Milan, IL?
ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 14 miles SE of Milan. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Milan, IL?
CBS is on channel 4 from WHBF-TV, broadcasting from 8.1 miles NE of Milan. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is NBC in Milan, IL?
NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 8.1 miles NE of Milan. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Milan, IL?
Fox is on channel 18 from KLJB, broadcasting from 14 miles SE of Milan. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Milan, IL?
CW is on channel 26 from KGCW, broadcasting from 13 miles SE of Milan. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Milan?
13 transmitters within 70 miles of Milan; around 11 of them are likely to be receivable with indoor 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 Milan?
The main network towers around Milan are in different directions: ABC 134° SE (14 mi), CBS 37° NE (8.1 mi), NBC 37° NE (8.1 mi) and Fox 134° SE (14 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Milan?
Indoor antenna (up to ~25 miles). The main towers are close. A flat indoor antenna near a window facing the towers should pull in the major networks.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Milan?
KWQC-TV is only 8.1 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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Milan?
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
- Rock Island3.9 mi
- Moline4.7 mi
- East Moline7.4 mi
- Silvis9.1 mi
- Colona12 mi
- Aledo20 mi
- Geneseo22 mi
- Cambridge22 mi
- Prophetstown36 mi
- Galesburg36 mi
- Kewanee37 mi
- Monmouth38 mi
- Morrison40 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Davenport, IA4.9 mi
- Bettendorf, IA5.7 mi
- Blue Grass, IA11 mi
- Eldridge, IA14 mi
- Muscatine, IA24 mi
- Wilton, IA25 mi
- De Witt, IA26 mi
- Clinton, IA34 mi
- Tipton, IA36 mi
- West Liberty, IA37 mi
- Wapello, IA37 mi
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Milan; signal estimates ignore terrain.