"We try our best to respect the game and showcase and display it in a fashion that might be a little bit more appetizing for a different group of people that are watching alongside the best play commentators on Earth."
"While these ratings may have been among the best compared to other television programs, it is a disappointing figure when compared to previous iterations of the Kentucky Derby."
"What makes the opening rounds great is when Cinderella advances. But at a certain point in the tournament, when it comes to historical television viewership, you want teams that are proven TV draws."
"It is down 27% from last year. It is also significantly lower than 2021, which saw the smallest audience ever to that point, with an average of under 6 million tuning in."
"We look forward to honoring the content that moved audiences in 2026 and continuing the Gracies’ long-standing investment in the people who will shape what comes next.”