YouTube TV users woke up this morning with the NBCUniversal channel intact (although the warning still appears at the top of the screen) Thursday was said to be the deadline for NBCU's networks (Bravo, E!, USA, NBC affiliates, etc) to potentially exit YouTube TV if they are unable to negotiate a new contract

However, a stay of execution did not arrive from the new deal; an NBCUniversal spokesperson announced in an email sent late Thursday night that "NBCUniversal and YouTube TV have agreed to a short extension while the parties continue discussions" NBCUniversal is YouTube TV will not be shutting down at midnight Eastern tonight"

The agreement was made in response to a request from NBCUniversal to "continue to provide YouTube TV to the public for a short period of time while the parties continue discussions

This is a minor victory for YouTube TV customers However, for customers who need Bravo, E!, Telemundo, USA, SyFy, Oxygen, CNBC, MSNBC, Universo, The Golf Channel, Universal Kids, and NBC Sports Network, the continuation of service is very significant

It is not a minor weekend for NBC either, as there is an important Sunday Night Football game with the Buccaneers and Tom Brady returning to New England to play their old team and coach In addition, "Saturday Night Live" returns with Owen Wilson and Kacey Musgraves

Wondering how they got here, Variety reports that NBCU is demanding higher rates than YouTube TV (and parent company Google) would like; NBCU shot back that it simply "wants a fair rate" Google further claims that NBCU is demanding that the Peacock streaming service be bundled with its YouTube TV subscription (which would likely increase the rate), but that it still needs to use the Peacock app Strange

Speaking of Peacock, YouTube TV's statement to the public says that if the two sides can't agree, they will "reduce the monthly fee by $10 from $6499 to $5499 And Peacock Premium is $499, half of the discount, it said However, Peacock Premium has Sunday Night Football, but no live NBC Network broadcasts

Not only does it look like YouTube TV could lose its NBCU channel any day now, but that is not the only problem facing this service (one of the best cable TV alternatives)

YouTube TV's main app, as you might imagine, was kicked out of the Roku store due to a corporate dispute Currently, YouTube TV is buried among Roku's YouTube apps, which is not a great experience

If YouTube TV wants to be known for positive things like unlimited DVR limits and a great interface, this nonsense about availability and price increases like the $30 price hike over three years from $35 in 2017 to $65 in 2020 these issues need to be addressed, not just the other way around And soon