NBCUniversal and Charter extend talks averting pay-TV blackout

NBCUniversal programming will remain on Charter Communications' pay-TV system as the two companies continue negotiations to resolve a carriage dispute.

Nearly 17 million Charter Spectrum customers nationwide — and about 1 million in New York — stood to lose NBCUniversal networks on Sunday if the companies could not reach a new agreement. The current carriage deal expires at midnight. But both sides are talking and NBCUniversal will keep its programs on Charter's systems, the company said in a statement Saturday night.

“Negotiations with Charter Spectrum for the NBCUniversal portfolio of networks have been extended. We will continue to negotiate in good faith so that Charter Spectrum customers can continue to receive NBCUniversal’s valuable networks and we hope to be able to reach a deal," the NBCUniversal statement said.

Charter-NBC dispute could black out 17 million

The blackout could have resulted in a loss of NBCUniversal networks such as Bravo and USA for Charter Spectrum subscribers nationwide. And in cities such as New York, L.A., and Dallas-Fort Worth, where NBC owns the local station, customers could lose the flagship NBC broadcast.

NBCUniversal had said in an earlier statement that Charter "has been unyielding in its demand for terms superior to those agreed to by the rest of the industry, including larger distributors."

Stamford, Conn.-based Charter has declined comment, other than to note that it would be NBCUniversal removing its content that would cause the blackout.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.