Michael Davies’ Embassy Row has been brought on board to produce ION’s broadcast of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, this year being hosted by ESPN analyst Mina Kimes.
Embassy Row will deliver a “refreshed” broadcast vision for the televised semifinals and finals later this month.
“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,” said Davies, president of 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.”
Adam Harman, Scripps’ SVP of programming, added, “With Embassy Row, we’re beginning the next chapter of storytelling around America’s most beloved educational live competition—the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 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.”
