RCA Signal Finder

TV channels & antenna towers in Near North Side, Illinois

Near North Side has 34 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 29 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WWTO-TV, 0.6 miles to the E.

Open Near North Side in the live finder
34TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
0.6 mito the closest tower
85,711population

Network channels in Near North Side

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 0.6 mi97° E StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 0.6 mi97° E StrongChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 1.5 mi183° S StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 1.5 mi183° S StrongChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 1.5 mi183° S StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 1.5 mi183° S StrongChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 1.5 mi183° S StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 1.5 mi183° S StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 1.5 mi182° S StrongChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 1.5 mi182° S StrongChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 1.5 mi182° S StrongChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Near North Side

Near North Side is a city of about 85,700 people in Illinois. There are 34 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 15 full-power, 7 Class A and 12 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 29 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 29 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 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 (strong 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 Near North Side

Point your antenna S, at about 183°. The main network towers for Near North Side 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 0.6 miles east of Near North Side (97° E). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Near North Side at fair strength or better, 90% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Near North Side

The farthest main network tower for Near North Side is WBBM-TV (CBS), 1.5 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.

WWTO-TV is only 0.6 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 Near North Side

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WWTO-TVFull power0.6 mi 97° EStrongNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A0.6 mi 97° EStrongChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power0.6 mi 97° EStrongChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power0.6 mi 97° EStrongChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power0.6 mi 97° EStrongArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A0.6 mi 97° EStrongSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power0.6 mi 97° EStrongChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A0.6 mi 97° EStrongChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A0.6 mi 97° EStrongPlano, IL
WCHU-LDLow power0.9 mi 152° SSEStrongOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power1.2 mi 147° SSEStrongChicago, IL
WTTWFull power1.5 mi 183° SStrongChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power1.5 mi 183° SStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A1.5 mi 183° SGoodArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A1.5 mi 183° SStrongChicago, IL
WJYSFull power1.5 mi 182° SStrongHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power1.5 mi 182° SStrongAurora, IL
WODN-LDLow power30 mi 130° SEWeakPortage, IN
WYINFull power40 mi 162° SSEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power41 mi 130° SEPoorValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power51 mi 252° WSWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power51 mi 252° WSWPoorEarlville, IL
WYGN-LDLow power66 mi 86° EPoorBerrien Springs, MI

How Near North Side compares with the rest of Illinois

With 29 stations at fair strength or better, Near North Side ranks 17th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 0.6 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 Chicago, 3.5 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Near North Side: step by step

  1. Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
  2. Point it toward 182° S, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 1.5 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 29 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 Near North Side, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 1.5 miles S of Near North Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Near North Side, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 1.5 miles S of Near North Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Near North Side, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 1.5 miles S of Near North Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is Fox in Near North Side, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 1.5 miles S of Near North Side. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Near North Side, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 1.5 miles S of Near North Side. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Near North Side?

34 transmitters within 70 miles of Near North Side; around 29 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 Near North Side?

Point your antenna S, at about 183°. The main network towers for Near North Side sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Near North Side?

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 Near North Side?

WWTO-TV is only 0.6 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 Near North Side?

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 Near North Side; signal estimates ignore terrain.