NBC Universal said it has extended negotiations with Charter Communications as the deadline drew closer for its existing carriage deals to expire.   

“Negotiations with Charter Spectrum for the NBC Universal portfolio of networks have been extended,” NBCU said in a statement Saturday. “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.”

NBCU began warning Charter customers Dec. 29 that its carriage deals for its broadcast stations and cable channels like Bravo, USA Network and Syfy, were set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31. In a statement Thursday, NBCU had said Charter was “unyielding” in its demands for terms similar to larger operators.

Charter has about 17 million video customers across the country. NBCU did not say how long the talks have been extended, but it is expected to at least be long enough for viewers to see NBC’s Sunday Night Football contest between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions (the winner takes the NFC North crown). Sunday also is the date for the NHL Centennial Classic between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. On Monday, the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks meet in the NHL Winter Classic, while for non-sports fans there is the Tournament of Roses Parade.

ESPN kicked off its 2014 Monday Night Football slate by averaging 12.6 million viewers for its opening night doubleheader.

The worldwide leader scored with 13.7 million viewers with its Detroit-New York Giants opener, according to Nielsen data. The Sept. 8 telecast – the Lions devoured the Gmen 35-14 – was down 17% from its first game of the 2013 MNF schedule, when 16.5 million saw Chip Kelly lead the Philadelphia Eagles past NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins, by a 33-27 count, in his coaching debut.

That record audience for a MNF opener, combined with 10.9 million for Houston-San Diego in the nightcap, to give ESPN an average audience of 13.7 million, the top performance since it began airing the doubleheader format in 2006, when it acquired the franchise from ABC.

Last night’s second game – an 18-17 win by the Arizona Cardinals over the Chargers – averaged 11.5 million viewers, up 5.5% from 10.9 million a year ago.

The doubleheader averaged 12.6 million, down 8% from the 2013 twinbill.

The MNF games finished as the two highest-rated telecasts of the night on any network, averaging a 7.8 U.S. rating. During the traditional MNF timeslot -- 8:15-11:30 p.m. -- ESPN averaged a 9.6 rating and 15.5 million watchers. The performances gave ESPN the win for the night among all networks – broadcast or cable – in households, viewers and all key male and adult demos. The MNF games ranked as the No. 1 and No. 2 telecasts of the night across cable and broadcast in those same categories.

On Sept. 15, ESPN’s MNF returns with Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts hosting LeSean McCoy and the Eagles. The MNF telecast will begin at its new earlier time – 8:15 p.m. (ET), with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m.