You can get 23 free TV channels in Hillcrest, IL
3 channels are rated Strong (indoor-ready) near the center of Hillcrest. Check your exact ZIP code below.
Attic or High-Gain Window Antenna
You have 7 Strong/Moderate channels. An attic or 2nd-floor window antenna will lock in way more channels than a basic flat panel.
🧭 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: NNW (342°)
Place your indoor antenna near a window or exterior wall facing NNW (342°), 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 Hillcrest, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | ABC | WTVO Rockford, IL · Full Power | 22.8 mi | NNW (346°) | UHF RF 16 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 13 | NBC | WREX Rockford, IL · Full Power | 24.5 mi | NNW (338°) | High VHF RF 13 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 19 | Local / LPTV | WSLN Freeport, IL · Full Power | 23.5 mi | NNW (346°) | High VHF RF 9 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 39 | FOX | WQRF-TV Rockford, IL · Full Power | 22.8 mi | NNW (346°) | UHF RF 36 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| 59 | MyNetworkTV | WTVK Oswego, IL · Full Power | 47.8 mi | S (172°) | High VHF RF 10 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| – | Local / LPTV | WFBN-LD Rockford, IL · Low Power | 23.5 mi | NNW (346°) | UHF RF 23 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| 23 | Local / LPTV | WIFR-LD Rockford, IL · Low Power | 23.5 mi | NNW (346°) | UHF RF 28 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| 4 | CBS | WHBF-TV Rock Island, IL · Full Power | 78.5 mi | WSW (249°) | Low VHF RF 4 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| – | Local / LPTV | W27EJ-D Sterling, IL · Low Power | 28.3 mi | W (261°) | UHF RF 27 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 7 | ABC | WLS-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 22 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 2 | CBS | WBBM-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | High VHF RF 12 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 3 | CBS | WISC-TV Madison, WI · Full Power | 79.0 mi | NNW (342°) | High VHF RF 11 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 5 | NBC | WMAQ-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 33 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 32 | FOX | WFLD Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 31 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 11 | PBS | WTTW Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 25 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 50 | MyNetworkTV | WPWR-TV Gary, IN · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 31 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 38 | ION | WCPX-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 34 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 66 | Univision | WGBO-DT Joliet, IL · Full Power | 74.1 mi | E (93°) | UHF RF 35 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 44 | Telemundo | WSNS-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 29 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 9 | Independent | WGN-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 19 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 26 | Independent | WCIU-TV Chicago, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 23 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 62 | Independent | WJYS Hammond, IN · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 21 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 60 | UniMás | WXFT-DT Aurora, IL · Full Power | 73.6 mi | E (94°) | UHF RF 22 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
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