Overview
- Mina Kimes, an ESPN analyst and recent Celebrity Jeopardy! winner, is the on‑air host for the Bee semifinals on May 27 and the live finals on May 28 on ION.
- Kimes has prepared by studying competitors and said the contest feels like watching game tape because the children are "elite competitors," according to her interview with The Associated Press.
- The telecast overhaul pairs Kimes with a new production led by Michael Davies of Jeopardy! and Embassy Row to bring a "big game feel" and sports‑style energy to the event.
- The new presentation will be tested live at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., as the 98th Scripps Bee runs May 26–28 with 247 contestants aged nine to 15.
- Scripps' move follows falling finals viewership after the Bee shifted from ESPN to ION, and the company hopes the host and production changes will revive audience interest and TV ratings.