TV channels & antenna towers in Steger, Illinois

Steger has 33 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 23 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WYIN, 15 miles to the SE.

33TV transmitters within 70 miles
9networks over the air
15 mito the closest tower
9,515population

Network channels in Steger

StationChannelDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
CBSWBBM-TVCBS2 28 mi0° N FairChicago, IL
IONWCPX-TVION38 28 mi0° N GoodChicago, IL
ABCWLS-TVABC7 28 mi0° N GoodChicago, IL
FOXWFLDFox32 28 mi0° N GoodChicago, IL
NBCWMAQ-TVNBC5 28 mi0° N GoodChicago, IL
TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo44 28 mi0° N GoodChicago, IL
MeTVWWME-CDMeTV23.1 28 mi0° N FairChicago, IL
MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV26.3 28 mi0° N GoodChicago, IL
CWWGN-TVCW9 28 mi0° N GoodChicago, IL
UNIWGBO-DTUnivision66 30 mi1° N GoodJoliet, IL
IONKPDS-LDION49.4 30 mi1° N WeakChicago, IL

Over-the-air TV in Steger

Steger is a town of about 9,520 people in Illinois. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 33 licensed TV transmitters: 15 full-power, 7 Class A and 11 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 23 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 1 transmitter is within 25 miles, 30 between 25 and 45 miles, and 2 farther out. Ten of the 11 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.

The strongest network signals here are ABC on channel 7 (WLS-TV), CBS on channel 2 (WBBM-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WMAQ-TV), Fox on channel 32 (WFLD), CW on channel 9 (WGN-TV), ION on channel 38 (WCPX-TV), Telemundo on channel 44 (WSNS-TV), Univision on channel 66 (WGBO-DT) and MeTV on channel 26.3 (WCIU-TV). Spanish-language viewers can pick up Telemundo (good signal) and Univision (good signal). 6 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 Steger

Point your antenna N, at about 0°. The main network towers for Steger sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

Ten network stations, WBBM-TV, WCPX-TV, WLS-TV, WFLD and WMAQ-TV and others, transmit from the same tower site about 28 miles north of Steger (0° N). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.

Of the 10 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Steger at fair strength or better, all arrive from the north, so this is an easy place to aim.

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

Antenna and amplifier advice for Steger

The farthest main network tower for Steger is WFLD (Fox), 28 miles away with a good estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. If you only watch the closer stations, a smaller antenna may do.

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 Steger

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

StationDistancePoint antennaEst. signalLicensed to
WYINFull power15 mi 124° SEGoodGary, IN
WODN-LDLow power25 mi 65° ENEWeakPortage, IN
WJYSFull power28 mi 0° NGoodHammond, IN
WXFT-DTFull power28 mi 0° NGoodAurora, IL
WTTWFull power28 mi 0° NGoodChicago, IL
WPWR-TVFull power28 mi 0° NGoodGary, IN
WEDE-CDClass A28 mi 0° NWeakArlington Heights, IL
WMEU-CDClass A28 mi 0° NFairChicago, IL
WDCI-LDLow power29 mi 2° NFairChicago, IL
WCHU-LDLow power29 mi 1° NWeakOakwood Hills, IL
WWTO-TVFull power30 mi 1° NFairNaperville, IL
WOCK-CDClass A30 mi 1° NWeakChicago, IL
W31EZ-DLow power30 mi 1° NFairChicago, IL
WESV-LDLow power30 mi 1° NFairChicago, IL
WRJK-LDLow power30 mi 1° NWeakArlington Heights, IL
W27EB-DClass A30 mi 1° NFairSugar Grove, IL
WRME-LDLow power30 mi 1° NWeakChicago, IL
WPVN-CDClass A30 mi 1° NFairChicago, IL
WLPD-CDClass A30 mi 1° NFairPlano, IL
WAAA-LDLow power32 mi 83° EWeakValparaiso, IN
WAUR-LDLow power50 mi 286° WNWPoorAurora, IL
WSPY-LDLow power50 mi 286° WNWPoorEarlville, IL

How Steger compares with the rest of Illinois

With 23 stations at fair strength or better, Steger ranks 251st of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 28 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 Park Forest, 2.5 miles away.

Setting up an antenna in Steger: step by step

  1. 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.
  2. Point it toward 0° N, the direction of WFLD (Fox), 28 miles away. Closer stations usually come in even off-axis.
  3. Run a full channel scan on your TV (usually Settings → Channels → Auto program; the name varies by brand).
  4. Expect around 23 stations, each with a few subchannels. If one you want is missing, turn the antenna 5–10° toward it and scan again.
  5. Rescan every few months, or whenever a channel disappears; stations occasionally change frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What channel is ABC in Steger, IL?

ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles N of Steger. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CBS in Steger, IL?

CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles N of Steger. Estimated signal: fair.

What channel is NBC in Steger, IL?

NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles N of Steger. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is Fox in Steger, IL?

Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 28 miles N of Steger. Estimated signal: good.

What channel is CW in Steger, IL?

CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 28 miles N of Steger. Estimated signal: good.

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

33 transmitters within 70 miles of Steger; around 23 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 Steger?

Point your antenna N, at about 0°. The main network towers for Steger sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.

What kind of antenna do I need in Steger?

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.

Do I need an antenna amplifier in Steger?

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.

Is there an app to find TV towers in Steger?

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

Nearby cities in other states

More: all TV stations in Illinois · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Steger; signal estimates ignore terrain.