You can get 36 free TV channels in Des Plaines, IL
21 channels are rated Strong (indoor-ready) near the center of Des Plaines. Check your exact ZIP code below.
Indoor Window or Tabletop Antenna
21 stations arrive with a Strong signal here. Place a quality indoor antenna near a window or wall facing the towers.
🧭 Broadcast Tower Compass — Which Way to Point Your Antenna
Each dot is a local TV tower relative to your center point (● Green = Strong, ● Blue = Moderate, ● Amber = Weak).
Primary Aim Direction: SE (126°)
Place your indoor antenna near a window or exterior wall facing SE (126°), or aim your attic/rooftop antenna toward that compass bearing for the strongest signal lock.
After placing or moving your antenna, always run a fresh TV channel rescan.
All Free Over-the-Air TV Channels in Des Plaines, IL
Sorted with Strong signals and major broadcast networks first. Channel is the virtual channel number your TV displays; Band / RF Ch. is the actual radio frequency that determines whether you need a VHF-capable antenna. How we calculate signals.
| Channel | Network | Station | Distance | Point Antenna | Band / RF Ch. | Estimated Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | ABC | WLS-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.4 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 22 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 2 | CBS | WBBM-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.4 mi | SE (128°) | High VHF RF 12 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 5 | NBC | WMAQ-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 33 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 32 | FOX | WFLD Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 31 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 11 | PBS | WTTW Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 25 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 59 | MyNetworkTV | WTVK Oswego, IL · Full Power | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | High VHF RF 10 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 50 | MyNetworkTV | WPWR-TV Gary, IN · Full Power | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 31 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 38 | ION | WCPX-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.4 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 34 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 66 | Univision | WGBO-DT Joliet, IL · Full Power | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | UHF RF 35 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 44 | Telemundo | WSNS-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 29 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 9 | Independent | WGN-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 19 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 26 | Independent | WCIU-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 23 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 62 | Independent | WJYS Hammond, IN · Full Power | 17.4 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 21 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| – | Local / LPTV | WOCK-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | Low VHF RF 4 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| – | Local / LPTV | WRME-LD Chicago, IL · Low Power | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | Low VHF RF 6 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 24 | Local / LPTV | WPVN-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | UHF RF 26 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 3 | Local / LPTV | WCHU-LD Oakwood Hills, IL · Low Power | 17.3 mi | SE (125°) | High VHF RF 7 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| – | Local / LPTV | WMEU-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 18 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| – | Local / LPTV | WWME-CD Chicago, IL · Class A | 17.3 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 20 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 60 | UniMás | WXFT-DT Aurora, IL · Full Power | 17.4 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 22 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| – | Local / LPTV | WDCI-LD Chicago, IL · Low Power | 17.7 mi | SE (126°) | UHF RF 30 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| – | Local / LPTV | W27EB-D Sugar Grove, IL · Class A | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | UHF RF 27 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| 35 | TBN | WWTO-TV Naperville, IL · Full Power | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | UHF RF 32 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| – | Local / LPTV | WLPD-CD Plano, IL · Class A | 17.1 mi | ESE (123°) | UHF RF 32 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| 56 | PBS | WYIN Gary, IN · Full Power | 53.9 mi | SSE (151°) | UHF RF 17 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 58 | CBS | WDJT-TV Milwaukee, WI · Full Power | 74.4 mi | N (359°) | UHF RF 29 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 13 | NBC | WREX Rockford, IL · Full Power | 70.9 mi | WNW (285°) | High VHF RF 13 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 4 | NBC | WTMJ-TV Milwaukee, WI · Full Power | 73.0 mi | N (360°) | UHF RF 32 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 6 | FOX | WITI Milwaukee, WI · Full Power | 73.0 mi | N (0°) | UHF RF 31 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 36 | PBS | WMVT Milwaukee, WI · Full Power | 73.4 mi | N (360°) | High VHF RF 8 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 10 | PBS | WMVS Milwaukee, WI · Full Power | 73.4 mi | N (360°) | High VHF RF 8 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 18 | CW | WVTV Milwaukee, WI · Full Power | 73.4 mi | N (360°) | UHF RF 27 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 55 | ION | WPXE-TV Kenosha, WI · Full Power | 73.0 mi | N (0°) | UHF RF 30 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 30 | Independent | WVCY-TV Milwaukee, WI · Full Power | 73.0 mi | N (0°) | UHF RF 31 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 68 | Independent | WIWN Fond Du Lac, WI · Full Power | 73.4 mi | N (360°) | Low VHF RF 5 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 19 | Local / LPTV | WSLN Freeport, IL · Full Power | 67.5 mi | WNW (286°) | High VHF RF 9 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
Check Your Exact ZIP Code in Des Plaines
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