TV channels & antenna towers in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois

Oakbrook Terrace has 38 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 WTTW, 17 miles to the E.

38TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
17 mito the closest tower
2,164population

Network channels in Oakbrook Terrace

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
FOXWFLDFox32 17 mi83° E StrongChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 17 mi83° E GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 17 mi83° E GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 17 mi83° E FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 17 mi83° E StrongChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 17 mi83° E StrongChicago, IL
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 17 mi83° E GoodChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 17 mi83° E GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 17 mi83° E StrongChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 18 mi79° E StrongJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 18 mi79° E WeakChicago, IL
FOXWQRF-TVFox39 69 mi296° WNW PoorRockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC17 69 mi296° WNW PoorRockford, IL
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo23 69 mi297° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS23 69 mi297° WNW PoorRockford, IL
CWWSLNCW19 69 mi297° WNW PoorFreeport, IL

Over-the-air TV in Oakbrook Terrace

With roughly 2,160 residents, Oakbrook Terrace is a small community in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 38 licensed TV transmitters: 18 full-power, 7 Class A and 13 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 28 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 14 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 28 transmitters are within 25 miles, 3 between 25 and 45 miles, and 7 farther out. Ten of the 16 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 Oakbrook Terrace

Point your antenna E, at about 83°. The main network towers for Oakbrook Terrace 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 17 miles east of Oakbrook Terrace (83° E). 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 Oakbrook Terrace at fair strength or better, all arrive from the east, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Oakbrook Terrace

The farthest main network tower for Oakbrook Terrace is WBBM-TV (CBS), 17 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor 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 Oakbrook Terrace

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WTTWFull power17 mi 83° EGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power17 mi 83° EStrongGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A17 mi 83° EFairArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A17 mi 83° EFairChicago, IL
WJYSFull power17 mi 83° EGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power17 mi 83° EStrongAurora, IL
WCHU-LDLow power18 mi 81° EFairOakwood Hills, IL
WDCI-LDLow power18 mi 82° EFairChicago, IL
WWTO-TVFull power18 mi 79° EFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A18 mi 79° EFairChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power18 mi 79° EFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power18 mi 79° EFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power18 mi 79° EFairArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A18 mi 79° EFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power18 mi 79° EFairChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A18 mi 79° EFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A18 mi 79° EFairPlano, IL
WAUR-LDLow power34 mi 248° WSWWeakAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power34 mi 248° WSWWeakEarlville, IL
WODN-LDLow power43 mi 111° ESEPoorPortage, IN
WYINFull power45 mi 140° SEGoodGary, IN
WAAA-LDLow power54 mi 115° ESEPoorValparaiso, IN

How Oakbrook Terrace compares with the rest of Illinois

With 28 stations at fair strength or better, Oakbrook Terrace ranks 70th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 17 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 Villa Park, 3.0 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Oakbrook Terrace: 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 83° E, the direction of WBBM-TV (CBS), 17 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 Oakbrook Terrace, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Oakbrook Terrace. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Oakbrook Terrace, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Oakbrook Terrace. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is NBC in Oakbrook Terrace, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Oakbrook Terrace. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Oakbrook Terrace, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Oakbrook Terrace. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Oakbrook Terrace, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles E of Oakbrook Terrace. Estimated signal: strong.

How many channels can I get with an antenna in Oakbrook Terrace?

38 transmitters within 70 miles of Oakbrook Terrace; around 28 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 Oakbrook Terrace?

Point your antenna E, at about 83°. The main network towers for Oakbrook Terrace sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Oakbrook Terrace?

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 Oakbrook Terrace?

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 Oakbrook Terrace?

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 Oakbrook Terrace; signal estimates ignore terrain.