TV channels & antenna towers in Roanoke, Illinois
Roanoke has 20 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 10 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYZZ-TV (Fox), 10 miles to the S.
Network channels in Roanoke
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOXWYZZ-TVFox | 43 | 10 mi | 175° S | Strong | Bloomington, IL |
| CBSWMBD-TVCBS | 31 | 21 mi | 238° WSW | Strong | Peoria, IL |
| MeTVWHOIMeTV | 19.6 | 22 mi | 238° WSW | Good | Peoria, IL |
| CWWEEK-TVCW | 25.3 | 22 mi | 238° WSW | Good | Peoria, IL |
| IONWCQA-LDION | 16.4 | 57 mi | 179° S | Poor | Springfield, IL |
| NBCWANDNBC | 17 | 61 mi | 162° SSE | Good | Decatur, IL |
| CWWBUICW | 23 | 62 mi | 162° SSE | Fair | Decatur, IL |
| CBSWCIACBS | 3 | 62 mi | 140° SE | Fair | Champaign, IL |
| ABCWICSABC | 20 | 70 mi | 192° SSW | Weak | Springfield, IL |
| FOXWRSP-TVFox | 55 | 70 mi | 192° SSW | Weak | Springfield, IL |
Over-the-air TV in Roanoke
Roanoke, Illinois has a population of about 2,070. There are 20 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 11 full-power, 1 Class A and 8 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 10 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 6 at good or strong strength.
6 of them are within 25 miles of Roanoke, 1 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 13 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Peoria, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Peoria's stations.
For the networks, the best local options 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). 2 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 Roanoke
The main network towers around Roanoke are in different directions: CBS 238° WSW (21 mi) and Fox 175° S (10 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 21 miles southwest of Roanoke (238° WSW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Roanoke at fair strength or better, 43% arrive from the south; the rest are spread across two other directions.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Roanoke, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Roanoke
The farthest main network tower for Roanoke is WMBD-TV (CBS), 21 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.
WICS (ABC), 70 miles south and WAND (NBC), 61 miles south, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are 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 those.
WYZZ-TV is only 10 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 Roanoke
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 | 19 mi | 231° SW | Fair | Peoria, IL |
| WTVPFull power | 23 mi | 239° WSW | Good | Peoria, IL |
| WSIO-LDLow power | 25 mi | 261° W | Fair | Peoria, IL |
| WILL-TVFull power | 59 mi | 152° SSE | Weak | Urbana, IL |
| WLCF-LDLow power | 61 mi | 163° SSE | Poor | Decatur, IL |
| W07DD-DLow power | 64 mi | 132° SE | Poor | Champaign, IL |
| WAUR-LDLow power | 68 mi | 28° NNE | Poor | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 68 mi | 28° NNE | Poor | Earlville, IL |
| WBXC-CDClass A | 69 mi | 133° SE | Poor | Champaign/Urbana, IL |
| W27EL-DLow power | 69 mi | 133° SE | Poor | Champaign, IL |
How Roanoke compares with the rest of Illinois
With 10 stations at fair strength or better, Roanoke ranks 609th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 10 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 North Peoria, 21 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Roanoke: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 238° WSW, the direction of WMBD-TV (CBS), 21 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 10 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 Roanoke, IL?
ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 70 miles SSW of Roanoke. Estimated signal: weak.
What channel is CBS in Roanoke, IL?
CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 21 miles WSW of Roanoke. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Roanoke, IL?
NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 61 miles SSE of Roanoke. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Roanoke, IL?
Fox is on channel 43 from WYZZ-TV, broadcasting from 10 miles S of Roanoke. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Roanoke, IL?
CW is on channel 25.3 from WEEK-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles WSW of Roanoke. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Roanoke?
20 transmitters within 70 miles of Roanoke; around 10 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 Roanoke?
The main network towers around Roanoke are in different directions: CBS 238° WSW (21 mi) and Fox 175° S (10 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.
What kind of antenna do I need in Roanoke?
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. Picking up ABC and NBC from up to 70 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.
Do I need an antenna amplifier in Roanoke?
WICS (ABC), 70 miles south and WAND (NBC), 61 miles south, are the exception: the nearest listed affiliates of those networks are 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 those.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Roanoke?
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
- Eureka6.5 mi
- Washburn9.8 mi
- El Paso10 mi
- Minonk11 mi
- Washington13 mi
- Chillicothe17 mi
- Morton19 mi
- Peoria Heights20 mi
- North Peoria21 mi
- Peoria22 mi
- East Peoria22 mi
- Normal22 mi
- Creve Coeur23 mi
- Henry23 mi
- Bloomington24 mi
- Lexington24 mi
- Bartonville26 mi
- Pekin28 mi
- Streator29 mi
- Pontiac30 mi
- Princeville31 mi
- Richmond31 mi
- Colfax34 mi
- Delavan35 mi
More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Roanoke; signal estimates ignore terrain.