TV channels & antenna towers in Minooka, Illinois

Minooka has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 17 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WAUR-LD, 22 miles to the NW.

33TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
22 mito the closest tower
11,243population

Network channels in Minooka

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 44 mi48° NE GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 44 mi48° NE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 44 mi48° NE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 44 mi48° NE WeakChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 44 mi48° NE GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 44 mi48° NE GoodChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 44 mi48° NE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 44 mi48° NE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 44 mi48° NE GoodChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 45 mi47° NE GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 45 mi47° NE PoorChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Minooka

Minooka, Illinois has a population of about 11,200. 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, 17 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 2 transmitters are within 25 miles, 17 between 25 and 45 miles, and 14 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 Minooka

Point your antenna NE, at about 48°. The main network towers for Minooka 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 44 miles northeast of Minooka (48° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Minooka at fair strength or better, all arrive from the northeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Minooka

The farthest main network tower for Minooka is WBBM-TV (CBS), 44 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

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 Minooka

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WAUR-LDLow power22 mi 312° NWFairAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power22 mi 312° NWFairEarlville, IL
WTTWFull power44 mi 48° NEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power44 mi 48° NEGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A44 mi 48° NEPoorArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A44 mi 48° NEWeakChicago, IL
WJYSFull power44 mi 48° NEFairHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power44 mi 48° NEGoodAurora, IL
WCHU-LDLow power44 mi 47° NEPoorOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power44 mi 48° NEPoorChicago, IL
WWTO-TVFull power45 mi 47° NEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A45 mi 47° NEPoorChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power45 mi 47° NEPoorChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power45 mi 47° NEPoorChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power45 mi 47° NEPoorArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A45 mi 47° NEPoorSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power45 mi 47° NEPoorChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A45 mi 47° NEPoorChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A45 mi 47° NEPoorPlano, IL
WYINFull power45 mi 99° EGoodGary, IN
WODN-LDLow power57 mi 78° ENEPoorPortage, IN
WAAA-LDLow power64 mi 86° EPoorValparaiso, IN

How Minooka compares with the rest of Illinois

With 17 stations at fair strength or better, Minooka ranks 366th of 766 places in Illinois: the same as the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 44 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 Joliet, 10 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Minooka: 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 48° NE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 44 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 17 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 Minooka, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles NE of Minooka. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Minooka, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles NE of Minooka. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Minooka, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles NE of Minooka. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Minooka, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 44 miles NE of Minooka. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Minooka, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 44 miles NE of Minooka. Estimated signal: good.

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

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Minooka; around 17 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 Minooka?

Point your antenna NE, at about 48°. The main network towers for Minooka sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Minooka?

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 Minooka?

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 Minooka?

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 Minooka; signal estimates ignore terrain.