Scripps National Spelling Bee leaves ESPN after 27 years, returning to free TV

The Hollywood Reporter

Starting in 2022, the spelling bee will move to two of Scripps' own TV networks: ION and Bounce. Scripps says that the spelling bee will be available on its over-the-air stations and through pay-TV providers that carry the channels. It will also stream online, with a full broadcast schedule to be announced next year. The move allows the Scripps National Spelling Bee to be available to people who don't have cable. “The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a beloved American treasure enjoyed by generations of participants and viewers annually. The time is right to bring the iconic competition back to broadcast television, the media platform accessible for free to nearly every American viewer across the country,” Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson said in a statement. “As the Bee’s viewership expands through the diverse and fast-growing audiences of ION and Bounce, it is better positioned to connect with the next generation of spellers watching along.”