Full Breakdown
Mina Kimes to Host Revamped 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee
5/5/2026, 11:49:44 PM
Event Overview
ESPN senior writer Mina Kimes will host the semifinals and finals of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The competition runs May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., with 247 spellers competing for a trophy and over $50,000 in cash. Semifinals and finals air on ION and Bounce; prelims stream on Scripps Sports.
Broadcast History and Ratings
Scripps took over the Bee from ESPN in 2022, moving it to ION and Bounce networks. Nielsen data show viewership rising to 641,000 in 2023 then falling to 461,000 (2024) and 488,000 (2025). The Bee attracted over 1 million viewers on ESPN in 2012 and averaged 606,000-559,000 in the three pre-pandemic finals. Stagnant ratings prompted the revamp.
Production Team and Key Personnel
Mina Kimes, a three-time school spelling-bee champion and Emmy-winning ESPN analyst, will host. Production is overseen by Michael Davies, executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and head of Embassy Row. Former speller Paul Loeffler returns as analyst; he is brother of bee executive director Corrie Loeffler. Scripps News and Sports, E.W. Scripps Company subsidiaries, run the not-for-profit event, while ION and Bounce handle distribution.
Competition Scale and Viewership Data
The Bee features 247 spellers competing for a prize pool over $50,000. ION/Bounce finals drew 609k (2022), 641k (2023), 461k (2024) and 488k (2025). Pre-pandemic ESPN finals averaged 606k (2017), 550k (2018) and 559k (2019). The event runs May 26-28.
Official Statements
Kimes told the Associated Press her goal is to give the Bee a “big-game feel,” emphasizing careful presentation. Davies said the broadcast will focus on the competition’s stakes and the climactic “winning word.” Scripps officials framed the changes as a strategy to reverse the ratings dip.
Criticism and Concerns
Industry observers note that despite the host and production changes, Nielsen figures show a downward trend since 2023. The decline raises questions about whether the changes alone will grow audiences and how the Bee will balance entertainment upgrades with its traditional format.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My goal in this is to give it the big-game feel,” — Mina Kimes, ESPN
- “Any event that requires skill and knowledge and preparation can have that feel if it's presented with enough care and pride on television.” — Mina Kimes
- “It honestly does feel a little bit like watching game tape because I really think these kids are elite competitors, not just in terms of being the best of the best, but you can see all of the work that they so clearly put in,” — Mina Kimes
- “We really need to focus the entire broadcast and everything we're doing around the stakes of the competition and the incredible winning moment, the winning word that happens at the end of the final,” — Michael Davies
What's Next
The semifinals air on ION on May 27, followed by the finals on Bounce on May 28.
