TV stations in the Midwest
The Great Lakes and the Great Plains, where flat terrain lets big towers reach a long way. The Midwest has 1,060 licensed TV transmitters, 439 of them full-power, serving 4,270 cities and towns.
Over-the-air TV in the Midwest
The Midwest has 1,060 licensed TV transmitters across 12 states and territories. 439 are full-power stations and 175 are translators (17% of the total). Minnesota has the most transmitters (206) and North Dakota the fewest (46).
Across the 4,270 cities and towns we cover here, a typical place gets 14 stations at fair strength or better, and the nearest major network tower is a median 23 miles away. 26% of places need an outdoor antenna, close to the national figure of 28%.
Lake Geneva, WI has the most stations in reach (35 at fair strength or better). Grand Marais, MN is the most remote: its nearest major network tower is 91 miles away.
The tallest full-power transmitter in the region is KOLR (CBS), 631 m above the surrounding terrain near Springfield, MO.
Divisions
States
| State | Stations | Full power | Network affiliates | Cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 89 | 46 | 35 | 766 |
| Indiana | 87 | 40 | 34 | 352 |
| Iowa | 61 | 32 | 18 | 285 |
| Kansas | 65 | 29 | 27 | 216 |
| Michigan | 101 | 50 | 37 | 447 |
| Minnesota | 206 | 34 | 24 | 371 |
| Missouri | 86 | 35 | 37 | 398 |
| Nebraska | 69 | 26 | 21 | 145 |
| North Dakota | 46 | 27 | 16 | 80 |
| Ohio | 100 | 51 | 37 | 686 |
| South Dakota | 61 | 25 | 14 | 101 |
| Wisconsin | 89 | 44 | 35 | 423 |
Largest cities
- ChicagoIL
- ColumbusOH
- IndianapolisIN
- DetroitMI
- MilwaukeeWI
- Kansas CityMO
- OmahaNE
- MinneapolisMN
- WichitaKS
- ClevelandOH
- St. LouisMO
- CincinnatiOH
- Saint PaulMN
- ToledoOH
- LincolnNE
- Fort WayneIN
- MadisonWI
- Des MoinesIA
- AuroraIL
- AkronOH
- Grand RapidsMI
- Overland ParkKS
- Sioux FallsSD
- SpringfieldMO
- Kansas CityKS
- RockfordIL
- JolietIL
- NapervilleIL
- DaytonOH
- OlatheKS