TV channels & antenna towers in Springfield, Illinois

Springfield has 24 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 W31EH-D, 1.7 miles to the NNE.

Open Springfield in the live finder

24TV transmitters within 70 miles

7networks over the air

1.7 mito the closest tower

116,565population

Network channels in Springfield

Station	Channel	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
ABCWICSABC	20	9.7 mi	89° E	Strong	Springfield, IL
FOXWRSP-TVFox	55	9.7 mi	89° E	Strong	Springfield, IL
IONWCQA-LDION	16.4	27 mi	65° ENE	Weak	Springfield, IL
CWWBUICW	23	44 mi	76° ENE	Good	Decatur, IL
NBCWANDNBC	17	44 mi	76° ENE	Good	Decatur, IL
MeTVWHOIMeTV	19.6	57 mi	5° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
CWWEEK-TVCW	25.3	57 mi	5° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
CBSWMBD-TVCBS	31	58 mi	5° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
FOXWYZZ-TVFox	43	63 mi	23° NNE	Fair	Bloomington, IL
CBSWCIACBS	3	67 mi	71° ENE	Weak	Champaign, IL

Over-the-air TV in Springfield

With roughly 117,000 residents, Springfield is a city in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 24 licensed TV transmitters: 13 full-power, 1 Class A, 9 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, 7 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 10 farther out. Springfield is a broadcast hub in its own right: three of the 10 network stations in range are licensed here.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 20 (WICS), CBS on channel 31 (WMBD-TV), 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). 4 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 Springfield

Point your antenna E, at about 85°. The main network towers for Springfield 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 9.7 miles east of Springfield (89° E). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.

Of the 5 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Springfield at fair strength or better, 80% arrive from the east; the rest are spread across one other direction.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Springfield

The farthest main network tower for Springfield is WAND (NBC), 44 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here.

WMBD-TV (CBS), 58 miles north, 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.

W27ES-D is only 1.7 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 Springfield

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

Station	Distance	Point antenna	Est. signal	Licensed to
W31EH-DLow power	1.7 mi	13° NNE	Fair	Springfield, IL
W27ES-DLow power	1.7 mi	13° NNE	Strong	Springfield, IL
WEAE-LDLow power	2.5 mi	125° SE	Strong	Springfield, IL
WCIXFull power	6.9 mi	96° E	Good	Springfield, IL
W23EW-DLow power	7.0 mi	122° ESE	Good	Springfield, IL
WSECFull power	25 mi	237° WSW	Good	Jacksonville, IL
W29ES-DTranslator	25 mi	237° WSW	Fair	Jacksonville, IL
W19EE-DLow power	30 mi	260° W	Poor	Jacksonville, IL
WLCF-LDLow power	42 mi	76° ENE	Poor	Decatur, IL
WILL-TVFull power	54 mi	72° ENE	Weak	Urbana, IL
WTVPFull power	57 mi	4° N	Weak	Peoria, IL
W27EQ-DLow power	57 mi	9° N	Poor	Peoria, IL
WSIO-LDLow power	65 mi	359° N	Poor	Peoria, IL
W36EX-DClass A	66 mi	202° SSW	Poor	Alton, IL

How Springfield compares with the rest of Illinois

With 12 stations at fair strength or better, Springfield ranks 534th of 766 places in Illinois: fewer than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 9.7 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.

Setting up an antenna in Springfield: 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 76° ENE, the direction of WAND (NBC), 44 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 Springfield, IL?

ABC is on channel 20 from WICS, broadcasting from 9.7 miles E of Springfield. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CBS in Springfield, IL?

CBS is on channel 31 from WMBD-TV, broadcasting from 58 miles N of Springfield. Estimated signal: weak.

What channel is NBC in Springfield, IL?

NBC is on channel 17 from WAND, broadcasting from 44 miles ENE of Springfield. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Springfield, IL?

Fox is on channel 55 from WRSP-TV, broadcasting from 9.7 miles E of Springfield. Estimated signal: strong.

What channel is CW in Springfield, IL?

CW is on channel 23 from WBUI, broadcasting from 44 miles ENE of Springfield. Estimated signal: good.

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

24 transmitters within 70 miles of Springfield; 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 Springfield?

Point your antenna E, at about 85°. The main network towers for Springfield sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Springfield?

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 58 miles away would take an outdoor antenna.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Springfield?

Is there an app to find TV towers in Springfield?

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 Springfield; signal estimates ignore terrain.