TV channels & antenna towers in Smithton, Illinois
Smithton has 25 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 21 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WPXS, 6.3 miles to the ESE.
Network channels in Smithton
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSKMOVCBS | 4 | 19 mi | 297° WNW | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| TLMWODK-LDTelemundo | 45 | 21 mi | 303° WNW | Fair | Saint Louis, MO |
| NBCKSDKNBC | 5 | 21 mi | 301° WNW | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| ABCKDNL-TVABC | 30 | 22 mi | 303° WNW | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| CWKPLR-TVCW | 11 | 22 mi | 293° WNW | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| FOXKTVIFox | 2 | 22 mi | 293° WNW | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| IONWRBUION | 46 | 27 mi | 267° W | Good | East St. Louis, IL |
| MeTVKNLCMeTV | 24.1 | 30 mi | 264° W | Good | St. Louis, MO |
Over-the-air TV in Smithton
Smithton is a town of about 3,720 people in Illinois. There are 25 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 10 full-power, 5 Class A and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 21 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
By distance, 17 transmitters are within 25 miles, 5 between 25 and 45 miles, and 3 farther out. Six of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to St. Louis, MO, so most of the network channels you will find here come from St. Louis's stations.
For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 30 (KDNL-TV), CBS on channel 4 (KMOV), NBC on channel 5 (KSDK), Fox on channel 2 (KTVI), CW on channel 11 (KPLR-TV), ION on channel 46 (WRBU), Telemundo on channel 45 (WODK-LD) and MeTV on channel 24.1 (KNLC). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (fair signal). 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 Smithton
Point your antenna WNW, at about 299°. The main network towers for Smithton sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, KSDK and KDNL-TV, transmit from the same tower site about 21 miles northwest of Smithton (301° WNW). That one direction covers every station on the site.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Smithton at fair strength or better, 71% arrive from the northwest; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Smithton, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Smithton
The farthest main network tower for Smithton is KTVI (Fox), 22 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an indoor antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
WPXS is only 6.3 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 Smithton
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPXSFull power | 6.3 mi | 119° ESE | Strong | Mount Vernon, IL |
| W09DL-DLow power | 6.3 mi | 119° ESE | Fair | Mount Vernon, IL |
| WLEH-LDLow power | 6.3 mi | 119° ESE | Good | St., IL |
| WXSL-LDLow power | 18 mi | 3° N | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KDTL-LDLow power | 19 mi | 297° WNW | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KEFN-CDClass A | 19 mi | 325° NW | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KUMO-LDLow power | 21 mi | 303° WNW | Fair | St Louis, MO |
| KPTN-LDLow power | 21 mi | 303° WNW | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KBGU-LDLow power | 21 mi | 303° WNW | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| K15KP-DLow power | 21 mi | 301° WNW | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KETCFull power | 23 mi | 283° WNW | Good | St. Louis, MO |
| K25NG-DClass A | 29 mi | 310° NW | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KDKZ-LDLow power | 35 mi | 248° WSW | Poor | Farmington, MO |
| W36EX-DClass A | 36 mi | 350° N | Weak | Alton, IL |
| WSIU-TVFull power | 46 mi | 117° ESE | Fair | Carbondale, IL |
| W29CI-DClass A | 55 mi | 78° ENE | Poor | Salem, IL |
| W15BU-DClass A | 70 mi | 124° ESE | Poor | Johnson City, IL |
How Smithton compares with the rest of Illinois
With 21 stations at fair strength or better, Smithton ranks 295th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 19 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 Belleville, 7.7 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Smithton: step by step
- Place the antenna high on a window or wall that faces the towers. Upstairs is better than downstairs.
- Point it toward 293° WNW, the direction of KTVI (Fox), 22 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 21 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 Smithton, IL?
ABC is on channel 30 from KDNL-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles WNW of Smithton. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Smithton, IL?
CBS is on channel 4 from KMOV, broadcasting from 19 miles WNW of Smithton. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Smithton, IL?
NBC is on channel 5 from KSDK, broadcasting from 21 miles WNW of Smithton. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is Fox in Smithton, IL?
Fox is on channel 2 from KTVI, broadcasting from 22 miles WNW of Smithton. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Smithton, IL?
CW is on channel 11 from KPLR-TV, broadcasting from 22 miles WNW of Smithton. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Smithton?
25 transmitters within 70 miles of Smithton; around 21 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 Smithton?
Point your antenna WNW, at about 299°. The main network towers for Smithton sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Smithton?
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 Smithton?
WPXS is only 6.3 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.
Is there an app to find TV towers in Smithton?
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
- Belleville7.7 mi
- Swansea8.7 mi
- Waterloo9.9 mi
- Columbia12 mi
- Shiloh12 mi
- Mascoutah12 mi
- Fairview Heights12 mi
- O'Fallon13 mi
- Red Bud14 mi
- Centreville14 mi
- Cahokia16 mi
- East Saint Louis17 mi
- Collinsville18 mi
- Maryville22 mi
- Granite City22 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Oakville, MO17 mi
- Lemay, MO18 mi
- St. Louis, MO19 mi
- Mehlville, MO19 mi
- Affton, MO21 mi
- Arnold, MO21 mi
- Concord, MO21 mi
- Barnhart, MO22 mi
- Shrewsbury, MO22 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 Smithton; signal estimates ignore terrain.