Scripps National Spelling Bee Revamps Broadcast; Mina Kimes to Host, Embassy Rows Michael Davies to Produce

ESPN analyst Mina Kimes will host the televised semifinals and finals of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee on ION, May 27 and May 28. Embassy Row, the production company led by 10-time Emmy-winning producer Michael Davies, will produce the broadcast.

Kimes is an NFL analyst, senior writer, podcast host, and television contributor for ESPN. She is a three-time school spelling bee champion and has also worked as a business journalist for Bloomberg News and Fortune.

Davies founded Embassy Row, which has produced Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? , Whose Line Is It Anyway? , Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, and Good Morning Football. He also executive produces Jeopardy! for Sony Pictures Television.

I could not be more excited to host this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee, says Mina Kimes, Host. Coming from the world of sports, I see these contestants as elite competitors; I can't wait to see their preparation pay off on such an illustrious stage. Growing up, this really was the Super Bowl for kids like me, and I'm honored to play a role in what's sure to be an unforgettable week.

From Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' to Jeopardy!' in all its forms, I've had the privilege of producing some of the world's most enduring and beloved quiz shows, says Michael Davies, President, Embassy Row. At Embassy Row, we're all so excited to bring that experience to the Bee. Our goal is to honor its legacy while presenting it in a fresh, modern way, focusing on the enormous stakes of this historic competition and sharpening the spotlight on these incredible spellers.

Mina shows over and over how cool it is to be smart, making her a natural fit for the Bee, says Corrie Loeffler, Executive Director, Scripps National Spelling Bee. Her insight and enthusiasm, not to mention her own experience as an elementary school spelling bee champion, will help create moments that bring audiences closer to the spellers, to the language and to one another.

With Embassy Row, we're beginning the next chapter of storytelling around America's most beloved educational live competition, says Adam Harman, Senior Vice President of Programming, Scripps. Michael Davies has taken popular, legacy formats like Jeopardy!' and elevated them in new ways while preserving what makes them iconic. His ability to build tension and character within a live production is world class. We're committed to giving audiences a premium viewing experience, and Michael and his team will do just that - highlighting one speller, one word, one moment at a time.

Broadcast Schedule

Semifinals: Wednesday, May 27, 8-10 p.m. ET on ION (live stream on spellingbee.com from 2:30-6:30 p.m. ET)

Finals: Thursday, May 28, 8-10 p.m. ET on ION

ION reaches 128 million households across pay television, connected TV platforms, free ad-supported streaming, and over-the-air broadcasts.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/05/07/scripps-national-spelling-bee-r...
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