TV channels & antenna towers in Gary, Indiana
Gary has 43 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 29 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is WODN-LD, 8.3 miles to the ENE.
Network channels in Gary
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSWBBM-TVCBS | 2 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| IONWCPX-TVION | 38 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| ABCWLS-TVABC | 7 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Strong | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWFLDFox | 32 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Strong | Chicago, IL |
| NBCWMAQ-TVNBC | 5 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| TLMWSNS-TVTelemundo | 44 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWWME-CDMeTV | 23.1 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| MeTVWCIU-TVMeTV | 26.3 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Strong | Chicago, IL |
| CWWGN-TVCW | 9 | 25 mi | 323° NW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| UNIWGBO-DTUnivision | 66 | 25 mi | 326° NW | Good | Joliet, IL |
| IONKPDS-LDION | 49.4 | 25 mi | 326° NW | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| FOXWSBT-TVFox | 22.2 | 58 mi | 88° E | Fair | South Bend, IN |
| NBCWNDU-TVNBC | 16 | 59 mi | 89° E | Fair | South Bend, IN |
| CWWCWW-LDCW | 25 | 60 mi | 88° E | Poor | South Bend, IN |
| ABCWBND-LDABC | 57 | 60 mi | 88° E | Poor | South Bend, IN |
| TLMWMYS-LDTelemundo | 69.2 | 60 mi | 88° E | Poor | South Bend, IN |
| UNIWHME-TVUnivision | 46 | 61 mi | 89° E | Weak | South Bend, IN |
Over-the-air TV in Gary
With roughly 77,200 residents, Gary is a city in Indiana. Within 70 miles of the town center we count 43 licensed TV transmitters: 20 full-power, 7 Class A and 16 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 29 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 13 at good or strong strength.
19 of them are within 25 miles of Gary, 12 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 12 are more than 45 miles out. Ten of the 17 network stations in range are licensed to Chicago, IL, 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). 8 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 Gary
Point your antenna NW, at about 323°. The main network towers for Gary 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 25 miles northwest of Gary (323° NW). Aim there first: one setting covers all of them.
Of the 12 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Gary at fair strength or better, 83% 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 Gary, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Gary
The farthest main network tower for Gary is WFLD (Fox), 25 miles away with a strong estimated signal. That is why we suggest an amplified indoor or attic antenna here. Skip that station and you may get away with a smaller antenna.
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 Gary
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal. Showing the closest 25 of 26; see all in the finder.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WODN-LDLow power | 8.3 mi | 75° ENE | Fair | Portage, IN |
| WYINFull power | 17 mi | 189° S | Good | Gary, IN |
| WAAA-LDLow power | 17 mi | 106° ESE | Fair | Valparaiso, IN |
| WDCI-LDLow power | 25 mi | 325° NW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WJYSFull power | 25 mi | 323° NW | Good | Hammond, IN |
| WXFT-DTFull power | 25 mi | 323° NW | Strong | Aurora, IL |
| WTTWFull power | 25 mi | 323° NW | Good | Chicago, IL |
| WPWR-TVFull power | 25 mi | 323° NW | Strong | Gary, IN |
| WEDE-CDClass A | 25 mi | 323° NW | Weak | Arlington Heights, IL |
| WMEU-CDClass A | 25 mi | 323° NW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WCHU-LDLow power | 25 mi | 325° NW | Weak | Oakwood Hills, IL |
| WWTO-TVFull power | 25 mi | 326° NW | Fair | Naperville, IL |
| WOCK-CDClass A | 25 mi | 326° NW | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| W31EZ-DLow power | 25 mi | 326° NW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WESV-LDLow power | 25 mi | 326° NW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WRJK-LDLow power | 25 mi | 326° NW | Fair | Arlington Heights, IL |
| W27EB-DClass A | 25 mi | 326° NW | Fair | Sugar Grove, IL |
| WRME-LDLow power | 25 mi | 326° NW | Weak | Chicago, IL |
| WPVN-CDClass A | 25 mi | 326° NW | Fair | Chicago, IL |
| WLPD-CDClass A | 25 mi | 326° NW | Fair | Plano, IL |
| WYGN-LDLow power | 57 mi | 63° ENE | Poor | Berrien Springs, MI |
| WSJVFull power | 58 mi | 88° E | Fair | Elkhart, IN |
| WNITFull power | 60 mi | 88° E | Weak | South Bend, IN |
| WAUR-LDLow power | 64 mi | 275° W | Poor | Aurora, IL |
| WSPY-LDLow power | 64 mi | 275° W | Poor | Earlville, IL |
How Gary compares with the rest of Indiana
With 29 stations at fair strength or better, Gary ranks 7th of 352 places in Indiana: more than the typical Indiana town (16). Its nearest major network tower is 25 miles away, against a state median of 25 miles.
51% of Indiana's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Chicago, 24 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Gary: 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 323° NW, the direction of WFLD (Fox), 25 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 29 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 Gary, IN?
ABC is on channel 7 from WLS-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles NW of Gary. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CBS in Gary, IN?
CBS is on channel 2 from WBBM-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles NW of Gary. Estimated signal: fair.
What channel is NBC in Gary, IN?
NBC is on channel 5 from WMAQ-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles NW of Gary. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Gary, IN?
Fox is on channel 32 from WFLD, broadcasting from 25 miles NW of Gary. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Gary, IN?
CW is on channel 9 from WGN-TV, broadcasting from 25 miles NW of Gary. Estimated signal: good.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Gary?
43 transmitters within 70 miles of Gary; around 29 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 Gary?
Point your antenna NW, at about 323°. The main network towers for Gary sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Gary?
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 Gary?
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 Gary?
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 Indiana cities
- Lake Station5.7 mi
- Griffith6.0 mi
- Highland6.1 mi
- Hobart6.3 mi
- East Chicago6.4 mi
- Merrillville7.7 mi
- Hammond8.0 mi
- Munster8.8 mi
- Portage8.9 mi
- Schererville9.7 mi
- Dyer11 mi
- South Haven11 mi
- Saint John12 mi
- Crown Point12 mi
- Winfield14 mi
- Lakes of the Four Seasons14 mi
- Chesterton15 mi
Nearby cities in other states
- Calumet City, IL9.6 mi
- Lansing, IL10 mi
- Lynwood, IL11 mi
- South Holland, IL13 mi
- Sauk Village, IL14 mi
- Glenwood, IL14 mi
- Dolton, IL14 mi
More: all TV stations in Indiana · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Gary; signal estimates ignore terrain.