TV channels & antenna towers in Rochester, Illinois

Rochester has 26 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 12 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is W23EW-D, 0.1 miles to the SSW.

Open Rochester in the live finder

26TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

0.1 mito the closest tower

3,779population

Network channels in Rochester

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
ABCWICSABC	20	5.3 mi	45° NE	Strong	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	5.3 mi	45° NE	Strong	Springfield, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	24 mi	51° NE	Weak	Springfield, IL
CWWBUICW	23	39 mi	69° ENE	Good	Decatur, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	40 mi	69° ENE	Good	Decatur, IL
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	61 mi	359° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	61 mi	359° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	61 mi	360° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
CBSWCIACBS	3	62 mi	66° ENE	Fair	Champaign, IL
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	65 mi	17° NNE	Weak	Bloomington, IL

Over-the-air TV in Rochester

Rochester is a town of about 3,780 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 26 licensed TV transmitters: 14 full-power, 1 Class A, 10 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 12 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 8 transmitters are within 25 miles, 6 between 25 and 45 miles, and 12 farther out. Three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed to Springfield, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Springfield's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 20 (WICS), CBS on channel 3 (WCIA), NBC on channel 17 (WAND), Fox on channel 55 (WRSP-TV), CW on channel 23 (WBUI), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD) and MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI). 5 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 Rochester

Point your antenna NE, at about 53°. The main network towers for Rochester sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Two network stations, WICS and WRSP-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 5.3 miles northeast of Rochester (45° NE). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Rochester at fair strength or better, 60% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Rochester

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

WCIA (CBS), 62 miles northeast, 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.

W23EW-D is only 0.1 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 Rochester

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W23EW-DLow power	0.1 mi	212° SSW	Strong	Springfield, IL
WCIXFull power	3.0 mi	18° NNE	Good	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	4.5 mi	299° WNW	Good	Springfield, IL
W31EH-DLow power	7.7 mi	313° NW	Weak	Springfield, IL
W27ES-DLow power	7.7 mi	313° NW	Good	Springfield, IL
WSECFull power	29 mi	250° WSW	Good	Jacksonville, IL
W29ES-DTranslator	29 mi	250° WSW	Fair	Jacksonville, IL
W19EE-DLow power	35 mi	267° W	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
WLCF-LDLow power	38 mi	68° ENE	Weak	Decatur, IL
WILL-TVFull power	50 mi	66° ENE	Fair	Urbana, IL
W27EQ-DLow power	60 mi	3° N	Poor	Peoria, IL
WTVPFull power	61 mi	358° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
W36EX-DClass A	65 mi	208° SSW	Poor	Alton, IL
WEDK-LDLow power	66 mi	133° SE	Poor	Effingham, IL
WEIU-TVFull power	66 mi	100° E	Poor	Charleston, IL
WSIO-LDLow power	69 mi	354° N	Poor	Peoria, IL

How Rochester compares with the rest of Illinois

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Rochester ranks 534th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 5.3 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 Springfield, 7.0 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Rochester: 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 69° ENE, 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 12 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 Rochester, IL?

ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 5.3 miles NE of Rochester. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Rochester, IL?

CBS is on channel 3 from WCIA, broadcasting from 62 miles ENE of Rochester. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Rochester, IL?

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

What channel is Fox in Rochester, IL?

Fox is on channel 55 from WRSP-TV, broadcasting from 5.3 miles NE of Rochester. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Rochester, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 39 miles ENE of Rochester. Estimated signal: good.

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

26 transmitters within 70 miles of Rochester; around 12 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 Rochester?

Point your antenna NE, at about 53°. The main network towers for Rochester sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Rochester?

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. Picking up CBS from up to 62 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Rochester?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Rochester?

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 Rochester; signal estimates ignore terrain.