TV channels & antenna towers in Hillsboro, Missouri
Hillsboro has 22 TV transmitters within 70 miles, carrying ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW and ION. About 18 stations should come in at fair strength or better with a suitable antenna. The closest tower is KDKZ-LD, 2.0 miles to the WSW.
Network channels in Hillsboro
| Station | Channel | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MeTVKNLCMeTV | 24.1 | 8.9 mi | 5° N | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| IONWRBUION | 46 | 12 mi | 21° NNE | Strong | East St. Louis, IL |
| CWKPLR-TVCW | 11 | 23 mi | 26° NNE | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| FOXKTVIFox | 2 | 23 mi | 26° NNE | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| CBSKMOVCBS | 4 | 25 mi | 35° NE | Strong | St. Louis, MO |
| NBCKSDKNBC | 5 | 26 mi | 28° NNE | Good | St. Louis, MO |
| TLMWODK-LDTelemundo | 45 | 27 mi | 28° NNE | Fair | Saint Louis, MO |
| ABCKDNL-TVABC | 30 | 27 mi | 28° NNE | Good | St. Louis, MO |
Over-the-air TV in Hillsboro
Hillsboro, Missouri has a population of about 3,080. Our map shows 22 licensed TV transmitters inside a 70-mile radius: 9 full-power, 3 Class A and 10 low-power. Based on each transmitter's power, antenna height and distance, 18 are likely to arrive at fair strength or better, and 10 at good or strong strength.
6 of them are within 25 miles of Hillsboro, 15 sit 25 to 45 miles away and 1 is more than 45 miles out. Six of the 8 network stations in range are licensed to St. Louis, so most of the network channels you will find here come from St. Louis's stations.
The strongest network signals here 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). 2 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 Hillsboro
Point your antenna NNE, at about 29°. The main network towers for Hillsboro sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
Two network stations, KPLR-TV and KTVI, transmit from the same tower site about 23 miles northeast of Hillsboro (26° NNE). Point at that site and a single antenna setting picks them all up.
Of the 7 full-power and Class A network signals that reach Hillsboro at fair strength or better, 71% arrive from the northeast; the rest are spread across one other direction.
All of the main network towers are within their radio horizon as seen from Hillsboro, so signals arrive fairly directly and a well-placed antenna should hold them steadily.
Antenna and amplifier advice for Hillsboro
The farthest main network tower for Hillsboro is KDNL-TV (ABC), 27 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.
KNLC is only 8.9 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 Hillsboro
Full-power independents, low-power stations and translators that relay a bigger station's signal.
| Station | Distance | Point antenna | Est. signal | Licensed to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KDKZ-LDLow power | 2.0 mi | 243° WSW | Good | Farmington, MO |
| KETCFull power | 19 mi | 27° NNE | Good | St. Louis, MO |
| KDTL-LDLow power | 25 mi | 35° NE | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| K15KP-DLow power | 26 mi | 28° NNE | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KUMO-LDLow power | 27 mi | 28° NNE | Fair | St Louis, MO |
| KPTN-LDLow power | 27 mi | 28° NNE | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KBGU-LDLow power | 27 mi | 28° NNE | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| K25NG-DClass A | 32 mi | 16° NNE | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| KEFN-CDClass A | 34 mi | 36° NE | Fair | St. Louis, MO |
| WPXSFull power | 38 mi | 76° ENE | Good | Mount Vernon, IL |
| W09DL-DLow power | 38 mi | 76° ENE | Poor | Mount Vernon, IL |
| WLEH-LDLow power | 38 mi | 76° ENE | Weak | St., IL |
| WXSL-LDLow power | 44 mi | 46° NE | Poor | St. Louis, MO |
| W36EX-DClass A | 54 mi | 27° NNE | Poor | Alton, IL |
How Hillsboro compares with the rest of Missouri
With 18 stations at fair strength or better, Hillsboro ranks 90th of 398 places in Missouri: more than the typical Missouri town (12). Its nearest major network tower is 8.9 miles away, against a state median of 23 miles.
30% of Missouri's cities and towns get the same recommendation: an amplified indoor or attic antenna. The nearest larger city is Arnold, 17 miles away.
Setting up an antenna in Hillsboro: 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 28° NNE, the direction of KDNL-TV (ABC), 27 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 18 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 Hillsboro, MO?
ABC is on channel 30 from KDNL-TV, broadcasting from 27 miles NNE of Hillsboro. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is CBS in Hillsboro, MO?
CBS is on channel 4 from KMOV, broadcasting from 25 miles NE of Hillsboro. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is NBC in Hillsboro, MO?
NBC is on channel 5 from KSDK, broadcasting from 26 miles NNE of Hillsboro. Estimated signal: good.
What channel is Fox in Hillsboro, MO?
Fox is on channel 2 from KTVI, broadcasting from 23 miles NNE of Hillsboro. Estimated signal: strong.
What channel is CW in Hillsboro, MO?
CW is on channel 11 from KPLR-TV, broadcasting from 23 miles NNE of Hillsboro. Estimated signal: strong.
How many channels can I get with an antenna in Hillsboro?
22 transmitters within 70 miles of Hillsboro; around 18 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 Hillsboro?
Point your antenna NNE, at about 29°. The main network towers for Hillsboro sit in that direction, so a single directional antenna can pick them all up.
What kind of antenna do I need in Hillsboro?
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 Hillsboro?
KNLC is only 8.9 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 Hillsboro?
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 Missouri cities
- De Soto6.4 mi
- Festus9.1 mi
- Pevely9.8 mi
- Barnhart12 mi
- Arnold17 mi
- Murphy18 mi
- Eureka19 mi
- Pacific20 mi
- Bonne Terre21 mi
- Oakville22 mi
- Valley Park22 mi
- Sunset Hills23 mi
- Concord23 mi
- Mehlville23 mi
- Sappington23 mi
- Potosi24 mi
- Crestwood24 mi
- Wildwood25 mi
- Ellisville25 mi
- Ballwin25 mi
- Affton25 mi
- Manchester25 mi
Nearby cities in other states
More: all TV stations in Missouri · Midwest region · antenna buying guide · how to aim an antenna. Distances are straight-line from the center of Hillsboro; signal estimates ignore terrain.