TV channels & antenna towers in Rome, Illinois

Rome has 16 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 14 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WSIO-LD, 13 miles to the SW.

Open Rome in the live finder

16TV transmitters within 70 miles

8networks over the air

13 mito the closest tower

1,738population

Network channels in Rome

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	17 mi	186° S	Strong	Peoria, IL
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	18 mi	188° S	Good	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	18 mi	188° S	Strong	Peoria, IL
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	24 mi	134° SE	Strong	Bloomington, IL
FOXKLJBFox	18	54 mi	303° WNW	Good	Davenport, IA
ABCWQAD-TVABC	8	54 mi	303° WNW	Good	Moline, IL
TBNWMWC-TVTrinity	53	54 mi	303° WNW	Fair	Galesburg, IL
CWKGCWCW	26	55 mi	304° NW	Good	Burlington, IA
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	65 mi	165° SSE	Poor	Springfield, IL
NBCKWQC-TVNBC	6	68 mi	312° NW	Fair	Davenport, IA
CBSWHBF-TVCBS	4	68 mi	312° NW	Weak	Rock Island, IL

Over-the-air TV in Rome

Rome, Illinois has a population of about 1,740. There are 16 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 13 full-power and 3 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 14 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 9 at good or strong strength.

7 of them are within 25 miles of Rome, 0 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 9 are more than 45 miles out. Three of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Peoria, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Peoria's stations.

The best-placed network stations are ABC on channel 8 (WQAD-TV), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), NBC on channel 6 (KWQC-TV), Fox on channel 43 (WYZZ-TV), CW on channel 25.3 (WEEK-TV), ION on channel 16.4 (WCQA-LD), MeTV on channel 19.6 (WHOI) and Trinity on channel 53 (WMWC-TV). 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 Rome

The main network towers around Rome are in different directions: CBS 186° S (17 mi) and Fox 134° SE (24 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 17 miles south of Rome (186° S). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 9 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Rome at fair strength or better, 56% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across two other directions.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Rome

The farthest main network tower for Rome is WYZZ-TV (Fox), 24 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here.

WQAD-TV (ABC), 54 miles northwest and KWQC-TV (NBC), 68 miles northwest, 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.

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 Rome

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
WSIO-LDLow power	13 mi	222° SW	Fair	Peoria, IL
WTVPFull power	18 mi	191° SSW	Good	Peoria, IL
W27EQ-DLow power	18 mi	176° S	Fair	Peoria, IL
WQPT-TVFull power	54 mi	303° WNW	Good	Moline, IL
KQINFull power	54 mi	303° WNW	Fair	Davenport, IA

How Rome compares with the rest of Illinois

With 14 stations at fair strength or better, Rome ranks 455th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer 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 North Peoria, 12 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Rome: step by step

Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
Point it toward 134° SE, the direction of WYZZ-TV (Fox), 24 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 14 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 Rome, IL?

ABC is on channel 8 from WQAD-TV, broadcasting from 54 miles WNW of Rome. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Rome, IL?

CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 17 miles S of Rome. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is NBC in Rome, IL?

NBC is on channel 6 from KWQC-TV, broadcasting from 68 miles NW of Rome. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is Fox in Rome, IL?

Fox is on channel 43 from WYZZ-TV, broadcasting from 24 miles SE of Rome. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Rome, IL?

CW is on channel 25.3 from WEEK-TV, broadcasting from 18 miles S of Rome. Estimated signal: strong.

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

16 transmitters within 70 miles of Rome; around 14 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 Rome?

The main network towers around Rome are in different directions: CBS 186° S (17 mi) and Fox 134° SE (24 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

What kind of antenna do I need in Rome?

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 68 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Rome?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Rome?

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 Rome; signal estimates ignore terrain.