Mina Kimes Takes over as Scripps National Spelling Bee Host as Part of Reimagined Broadcast
The ESPN senior writer becomes the first celebrity host since 2022 as Scripps seeks to boost ratings with a revamped broadcast team.
- On Tuesday, ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes was announced as the new television host for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, becoming the first celebrity host since 2022.
- Scripps is overhauling the broadcast with a new production team led by Michael Davies, executive producer of Jeopardy!, seeking to reverse stagnant ratings over the past two years.
- Kimes, a Yale-educated analyst, brings an outsider's perspective to the role, saying, "I see these contestants as elite competitors; I can't wait to see their preparation pay off."
- This year's Scripps National Spelling Bee runs May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in downtown Washington, with 247 spellers competing for a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.
- Davies aims to "make it bigger and make it more famous" by focusing the broadcast on competition stakes, hoping to revitalize interest in the 101-year-old event.
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46 Articles
Emmy Award-winning ESPN analyst Mina Kimes to host the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee
CINCINNATI, May 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nationally acclaimed ESPN senior writer and Emmy Award-winning analyst Mina Kimes will bring her passion for storytelling to the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee as host of its televised semifinals and finals –…
Associated Press News
Mina Kimes takes over as Scripps National Spelling Bee host as part of reimagined broadcast
Mina Kimes is taking over as television host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and the ESPN NFL analyst hopes to use her outsider’s perspective to capture the excitement of the 101-year-old competition.
Mina Kimes to host revamped Scripps National Spelling Bee
Audiences will notice a refreshed, revamped 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee when the competition returns to television later this month.Mina Kimes, a three-time school spelling bee champion, will host the televised semifinals and finals. The ESPN senior writer and Emmy Award-winning analyst said she could not be more excited to host this year's event."Coming from the world of sports, I see these contestants as elite competitors; I cant wait t…
Mina Kimes To Host Scripps National Spelling Bee As Part Of Reimagined Broadcast
Mina Kimes will host the Scripps National Spelling Bee, and the ESPN NFL analyst hopes to use her outsider’s perspective to capture the excitement of the 101-year-old competition. Kimes, whose hiring was announced Tuesday, becomes the first celebrity host for the bee since LeVar Burton in 2022. That was the year Scripps took over the broadcast from ESPN, its longtime TV home, and began airing it on Ion and Bounce, both of which are owned by the …
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