TV channels & antenna towers in Normal, Illinois

Normal has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 13 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYZZ-TV (Fox), 13 miles to the NW.

Open Normal in the live finder

25TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

13 mito the closest tower

54,373population

Network channels in Normal

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	13 mi	313° NW	Strong	Bloomington, IL
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	30 mi	286° WNW	Good	Peoria, IL
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	30 mi	285° WNW	Good	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	30 mi	285° WNW	Good	Peoria, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	39 mi	195° SSW	Poor	Springfield, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	40 mi	168° SSE	Good	Decatur, IL
CWWBUICW	23	40 mi	168° SSE	Good	Decatur, IL
CBSWCIACBS	3	40 mi	135° SE	Good	Champaign, IL
ABCWICSABC	20	55 mi	207° SSW	Good	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	55 mi	207° SSW	Good	Springfield, IL
ABCWICDABC	15	65 mi	118° ESE	Fair	Champaign, IL
FOXWCCUFox	27	65 mi	118° ESE	Weak	Urbana, IL

Over-the-air TV in Normal

With roughly 54,400 residents, Normal is a city in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 25 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 1 Class A and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 13 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 13 between 25 and 45 miles, and 11 farther out. Three of the 12 network stations in range are licensed to Peoria, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Peoria's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 20 (WICS), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 25.3 (WEEK-TV), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD) and MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI). 3 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 Normal

The main network towers around Normal are in different directions: CBS 286° WNW (30 mi), NBC 168° SSE (40 mi) and Fox 313° NW (13 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, WMBD-TV, WHOI and WEEK-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 30 miles west of Normal (286° WNW). 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 Normal at fair strength or better, 30% arrive from the west; the rest are spread across four other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Normal

The farthest main network tower for Normal is WAND (NBC), 40 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WICS (ABC), 55 miles southwest, is the exception: the nearest listed affiliate of its network is far enough away to need an outdoor antenna. Some local stations in our data carry no network tag, so check the other stations table below before buying a bigger antenna just for that one.

WYZZ-TV is only 13 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 Normal

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W27EQ-DLow power	27 mi	286° WNW	Fair	Peoria, IL
WTVPFull power	31 mi	285° WNW	Good	Peoria, IL
WILL-TVFull power	37 mi	153° SSE	Fair	Urbana, IL
WSIO-LDLow power	39 mi	294° WNW	Poor	Peoria, IL
WLCF-LDLow power	39 mi	171° S	Poor	Decatur, IL
W07DD-DLow power	44 mi	123° ESE	Poor	Champaign, IL
WBXC-CDClass A	48 mi	125° SE	Poor	Champaign/Urbana, IL
W27EL-DLow power	49 mi	125° SE	Poor	Champaign, IL
WCIXFull power	57 mi	209° SSW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W31EH-DLow power	59 mi	216° SW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W27ES-DLow power	59 mi	216° SW	Poor	Springfield, IL
W23EW-DLow power	60 mi	209° SSW	Poor	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	60 mi	213° SSW	Poor	Springfield, IL

How Normal compares with the rest of Illinois

With 13 stations at fair strength or better, Normal ranks 481st of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 13 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 Peoria, 34 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Normal: step by step

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.
Point it toward 168° SSE, the direction of WAND (NBC), 40 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 13 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 Normal, IL?

ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 55 miles SSW of Normal. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Normal, IL?

CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles WNW of Normal. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Normal, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 40 miles SSE of Normal. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Normal, IL?

Fox is on channel 43 from WYZZ-TV, broadcasting from 13 miles NW of Normal. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Normal, IL?

CW is on channel 25.3 from WEEK-TV, broadcasting from 30 miles WNW of Normal. Estimated signal: good.

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

25 transmitters within 70 miles of Normal; around 13 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 Normal?

What kind of antenna do I need in Normal?

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. The towers are spread over about 145° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help. Picking up ABC from up to 55 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Normal?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Normal?

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 Normal; signal estimates ignore terrain.