TV channels & antenna towers in Mount Prospect, Illinois

Mount Prospect has 41 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 WWTO-TV, 20 miles to the SE.

41TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
20 mito the closest tower
54,747population

Network channels in Mount Prospect

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 20 mi126° SE StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 20 mi126° SE WeakChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 20 mi130° SE StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 20 mi130° SE GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 20 mi130° SE GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 20 mi130° SE FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 20 mi130° SE StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 20 mi130° SE StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 20 mi130° SE FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 20 mi130° SE GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 20 mi130° SE StrongChicago, IL
FOXWQRF-TVFox39 65 mi284° WNW PoorRockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC17 65 mi284° WNW PoorRockford, IL
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo23 65 mi285° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS23 65 mi285° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CWWSLNCW19 65 mi285° WNW PoorFreeport, IL
NBCWREXNBC13 69 mi284° WNW PoorRockford, IL

Over-the-air TV in Mount Prospect

Mount Prospect, Illinois has a population of about 54,700. There are 41 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 19 full-power, 7 Class A and 15 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 28 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 12 at good or strong strength.

28 of them are within 25 miles of Mount Prospect, 2 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 11 are more than 45 miles out. Ten of the 17 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 Mount Prospect

Point your antenna SE, at about 130°. The main network towers for Mount Prospect sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WGBO-DT, WFLD, WMAQ-TV, WSNS-TV and WWME-CD and others, transmit from the same tower site about 20 miles southeast of Mount Prospect (126° SE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Mount Prospect at fair strength or better, all arrive from the southeast, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Mount Prospect

The farthest main network tower for Mount Prospect is WBBM-TV (CBS), 20 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 Mount Prospect

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WWTO-TVFull power20 mi 126° SEFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A20 mi 126° SEFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power20 mi 126° SEFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power20 mi 126° SEFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power20 mi 126° SEFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A20 mi 126° SEFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power20 mi 126° SEFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A20 mi 126° SEFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A20 mi 126° SEFairPlano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power20 mi 127° SEFairOakwood Hills, IL
WTTWFull power20 mi 130° SEGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power20 mi 130° SEStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A20 mi 130° SEFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A20 mi 130° SEFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power20 mi 130° SEGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power20 mi 130° SEStrongAurora, IL
WDCI-LDLow power20 mi 128° SEFairChicago, IL
WAUR-LDLow power43 mi 230° SWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power43 mi 230° SWPoorEarlville, IL
WODN-LDLow power49 mi 128° SEPoorPortage, IN
WYINFull power57 mi 151° SSEFairGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power60 mi 128° SEPoorValparaiso, IN
WDMW-LDLow power64 mi 348° NNWPoorMilwaukee, WI
WTAS-LDLow power64 mi 348° NNWPoorWaukesha, WI

How Mount Prospect compares with the rest of Illinois

With 28 stations at fair strength or better, Mount Prospect ranks 70th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 20 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 Elgin, 18 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Mount Prospect: 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 130° SE, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 20 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 Mount Prospect, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles SE of Mount Prospect. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Mount Prospect, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles SE of Mount Prospect. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Mount Prospect, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles SE of Mount Prospect. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Mount Prospect, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 20 miles SE of Mount Prospect. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Mount Prospect, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 20 miles SE of Mount Prospect. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Mount Prospect?

41 transmitters within 70 miles of Mount Prospect; 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 Mount Prospect?

Point your antenna SE, at about 130°. The main network towers for Mount Prospect sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Mount Prospect?

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 Mount Prospect?

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 Mount Prospect?

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 Mount Prospect; signal estimates ignore terrain.