Overview
- ESPN journalist Mina Kimes is hosting the Bee’s televised semifinals and finals on ION, which are scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, with longtime analyst Paul Loeffler joining on air.
- A new production team led by Michael Davies is running the broadcast and is pushing a ‘big game’ presentation that treats rounds and competitor performance more like a live sports show.
- The 98th Scripps National Spelling Bee features 247 competitors ages nine to 15 at Washington’s Constitution Hall and is using Scripps’ multi-channel plan that put quarterfinals on Scripps Sports and the later rounds on ION.
- Kimes brings TV experience and visibility from ESPN and a recent Celebrity Jeopardy! win, and Scripps has highlighted her childhood spelling-bee wins to boost her on-stage credibility.
- Scripps says the overhaul is meant to revive declining finals viewership and improve the live experience for contestants, with the winner receiving roughly a $52,500 prize package.