Some TV viewers in the Mid-Columbia who subscribe to DISH Network for their satellite television programming have lost Fox programming as DISH and the Fox distributor dispute the terms of a new contract.

Northwest Broadcasting, Inc., based in Okemos, Mich., provides access to Fox Channel 41 for DISH in Yakima, the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla, according to a release from DISH and from Dave Schlotthauer, owner of Columbia Basin Satellite, a Kennewick-based distributor for DISH.

Spokane and Medford, Ore., and Binghamton, N.Y., also are affected.

The blackout began Monday night when the Northwest's contract with DISH expired.

People with service from DirecTV and Charter Cable can access Fox Channel 11. The channel also is available via antenna, though Schlotthauer said the signal can be spotty in hilly areas.

He said it's not known how long the blackout will last.