You can get 19 free TV channels in Athens, IL
3 channels are rated Strong (indoor-ready) near the center of Athens. Check your exact ZIP code below.
Attic or High-Gain Window Antenna
You have 8 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: SE (136°)
Place your indoor antenna near a window or exterior wall facing SE (136°), 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 Athens, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | NBC | WICS Springfield, IL · Full Power | 17.6 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 15 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 55 | FOX | WRSP-TV Springfield, IL · Full Power | 17.6 mi | SE (128°) | UHF RF 16 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 49 | MyNetworkTV | WCIX Springfield, IL · Full Power | 16.1 mi | SE (137°) | High VHF RF 11 | ● Strong — Indoor OK |
| 17 | NBC | WAND Decatur, IL · Full Power | 47.1 mi | E (91°) | UHF RF 20 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| 14 | PBS | WSEC Jacksonville, IL · Full Power | 30.2 mi | SW (215°) | UHF RF 18 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| – | Local / LPTV | W27ES-D Springfield, IL · Low Power | 10.4 mi | SSE (154°) | UHF RF 27 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| – | Local / LPTV | WEAE-LD Springfield, IL · Low Power | 13.9 mi | SSE (154°) | UHF RF 21 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| – | Local / LPTV | W23EW-D Springfield, IL · Low Power | 17.8 mi | SE (146°) | UHF RF 23 | ● Moderate — Window / High Indoor |
| 19 | ABC | WHOI Peoria, IL · Full Power | 47.0 mi | N (11°) | UHF RF 24 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 31 | CBS | WMBD-TV Peoria, IL · Full Power | 47.5 mi | NNE (12°) | UHF RF 26 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 25 | NBC | WEEK-TV Peoria, IL · Full Power | 47.0 mi | N (11°) | UHF RF 25 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 43 | FOX | WYZZ-TV Bloomington, IL · Full Power | 55.2 mi | NNE (31°) | UHF RF 28 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 12 | PBS | WILL-TV Urbana, IL · Full Power | 55.9 mi | E (84°) | High VHF RF 9 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 23 | CW | WBUI Decatur, IL · Full Power | 46.9 mi | E (91°) | UHF RF 22 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| – | Local / LPTV | W27DF-D Saulsbury/Springfield, IL · Low Power | 23.0 mi | SW (228°) | UHF RF 34 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| – | Local / LPTV | W29ES-D Jacksonville, IL · Translator | 30.2 mi | SW (215°) | UHF RF 29 | ▲ Weak — Outdoor / Attic |
| 3 | CBS | WCIA Champaign, IL · Full Power | 68.0 mi | E (81°) | UHF RF 34 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| 47 | PBS | WTVP Peoria, IL · Full Power | 46.8 mi | N (10°) | UHF RF 35 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
| – | Local / LPTV | WCQA-LD Springfield, IL · Low Power | 29.0 mi | E (89°) | High VHF RF 12 | ○ Fringe — Deep Outdoor |
📬 Get an email alert if local TV channels change in your area
When a local station changes frequencies or a new free channel signs on, we'll let you know it's time to rescan your TV.
100% free. Unsubscribe anytime in one click.