TV channels & antenna towers in Ottawa, Illinois

Ottawa has 16 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and Telemundo. About 3 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WAUR-LD, 26 miles to the NNE.

Open Ottawa in the live finder

16TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

26 mito the closest tower

18,342population

Network channels in Ottawa

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	51 mi	200° SSW	Good	Bloomington, IL
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	61 mi	217° SW	Weak	Peoria, IL
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	62 mi	217° SW	Weak	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	62 mi	217° SW	Weak	Peoria, IL
FOXWQRF-TVFox	39	67 mi	346° NNW	Poor	Rockford, IL
ABCWTVOABC	17	67 mi	346° NNW	Poor	Rockford, IL
TLMWFBN-LDTelemundo	23	68 mi	346° NNW	Poor	Rockford, IL
CBSWIFR-LDCBS	23	68 mi	346° NNW	Poor	Rockford, IL
CWWSLNCW	19	68 mi	346° NNW	Poor	Freeport, IL
NBCWREXNBC	13	69 mi	343° NNW	Poor	Rockford, IL

Over-the-air TV in Ottawa

With roughly 18,300 residents, Ottawa is a city in Illinois. Our map shows 16 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power and 7 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 3 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 1 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 2 between 25 and 45 miles, and 14 farther out. Five of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Rockford, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Rockford's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 17 (WTVO), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), NBC on channel 13 (WREX), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 25.3 (WEEK-TV), Telemundo on channel 23 (WFBN-LD) and MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (very weak signal). 1 full-power station in range has no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

Which way to point your antenna in Ottawa

The main network towers around Ottawa are in different directions: ABC 346° NNW (67 mi), CBS 217° SW (61 mi), NBC 343° NNW (69 mi) and Fox 200° SSW (51 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 61 miles southwest of Ottawa (217° SW). That one direction covers every station on the site.

WTVO (ABC), WMBD-TV (CBS) and WREX (NBC) lie beyond the radio horizon of their transmitter as seen from Ottawa. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

Antenna and amplifier advice for Ottawa

The farthest main network tower for Ottawa is WREX (NBC), 69 miles away with a very weak estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

Other stations near Ottawa

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WAUR-LDLow power	26 mi	32° NNE	Fair	Aurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power	26 mi	32° NNE	Fair	Earlville, IL
W27EJ-DLow power	55 mi	314° NW	Poor	Sterling, IL
W27EQ-DLow power	60 mi	214° SSW	Poor	Peoria, IL
WSIO-LDLow power	60 mi	226° SW	Poor	Peoria, IL
WTVPFull power	62 mi	218° SW	Poor	Peoria, IL

How Ottawa compares with the rest of Illinois

With 3 stations at fair strength or better, Ottawa ranks 762nd of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 51 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Plainfield, 38 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Ottawa: step by step

Mount an outdoor antenna on the roof or a mast, as high as you can safely get it, with a clear view toward the towers.
Point it toward 343° NNW, the direction of WREX (NBC), 69 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 3 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 Ottawa, IL?

ABC is on channel 17 from WTVO, broadcasting from 67 miles NNW of Ottawa. Estimated signal: very weak.

What channel is CBS in Ottawa, IL?

CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 61 miles SW of Ottawa. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is NBC in Ottawa, IL?

NBC is on channel 13 from WREX, broadcasting from 69 miles NNW of Ottawa. Estimated signal: very weak.

What channel is Fox in Ottawa, IL?

Fox is on channel 43 from WYZZ-TV, broadcasting from 51 miles SSW of Ottawa. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Ottawa, IL?

CW is on channel 25.3 from WEEK-TV, broadcasting from 62 miles SW of Ottawa. Estimated signal: weak.

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

16 transmitters within 70 miles of Ottawa; around 3 of them are likely to be receivable with outdoor directional 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 Ottawa?

What kind of antenna do I need in Ottawa?

Outdoor directional antenna (45–70 miles). Some major towers are a long way off. Mount a directional antenna on the roof or a mast and aim it with the bearings below. The towers are spread over about 145° of the compass, so a multi-directional antenna or a rotator will help.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Ottawa?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Ottawa?

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 Ottawa; signal estimates ignore terrain.