TV channels & antenna towers in Woodstock, Illinois

Woodstock is a city of about 25,200 people in Illinois. There are 56 licensed TV transmitters within 70 miles: 29 full-power, 9 Class A, 17 low-power and 1 translator. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 24 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.

By distance, 0 transmitters are within 25 miles, 7 between 25 and 45 miles, and 49 farther out. Ten of the 25 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, so most of the network channels you will find here come from Chicago's stations.

For the networks, the best local options are ABC on channel 7 (WLS-TV), CBS on channel 58 (WDJT-TV), NBC on channel 5 (WMAQ-TV), Fox on channel 39 (WQRF-TV), 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). 10 full-power stations in range have no network listed in our data; these are typically public television, religious, shopping or independent stations.

The main network towers around Woodstock are in different directions: ABC 126° SE (51 mi), CBS 25° NNE (61 mi), NBC 126° SE (51 mi) and Fox 267° W (37 mi). Aim at the farthest one you want first, or use a multi-directional antenna.

Three network stations, WSLN, WQRF-TV and WTVO, transmit from the same tower site about 37 miles west of Woodstock (268° W). That one direction covers every station on the site.

Of the 19 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Woodstock at fair strength or better, 47% arrive from the southeast; the rest are spread across two other directions.

WDJT-TV (CBS) lies beyond the radio horizon of its transmitter as seen from Woodstock. Past that point signals fade quickly, so antenna height matters more than amplification.

The farthest main network tower for Woodstock is WDJT-TV (CBS), 61 miles away with a fair estimated signal. That is why we suggest an outdoor directional antenna here. Viewers who do not need that station can often manage with less.

At this distance a low-noise preamplifier mounted on the mast, right below the antenna, helps more than an amplifier near the TV. It boosts the signal before cable loss eats into it. See the amplifier guide.

With 24 stations at fair strength or better, Woodstock ranks 215th of 766 places in Illinois: more than the typical Illinois town (17). Its nearest major network tower is 37 miles away, against a state median of 24 miles.

18% of Illinois's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an outdoor directional antenna. The nearest larger city is Elgin, 21 miles away.