DISH vs. Fox Results in Channel 41 Dropped in Mid-Columbia

We've been down this road before with a number of networks, providers and channels.DISH Network has been forced to drop Fox Channel 41 from its lineup due to yet another contract dispute.

Fox, just months removed from resolving a similar issue with DirecTV over the same Fox Network channel, now is asking Dish to pay a higher fee for carrying the channel.

However, if customers have an over-the-air antenna, which can be purchased at just about any entertainment store that specializes in electronics, they should be able to receive the signal.

KCYU is Fox 41, which serves Yakima but is piped into most DISH customers in our area.  That's because KFFX Fox 11 is linked with DirecTV.

Northwest Broadcasting, which owns the Fox affiliates in Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima and Spokane settled with DirecTV only a number of weeks ago after a nasty, prolonged 22-month battle. DISH claims Northwest, based out of Michigan, rejected their bid to pay the same fees to carry the Fox network as was offered in the settlement with DirecTV.     Northwest denies that claim.

Given the history Northwest has of playing hardball with satellite providers, we may be prepared for a lengthy battle between the two.