[1] For the first time in the Bee's history, ABC broadcast the Championship Rounds on primetime television.
[2] A thirteen-year-old eighth-grader from Spring Lake, New Jersey, Katharine "Kerry" Close, won the Bee on her fifth attempt, correctly spelling Ursprache in the twentieth round.
This Bee was also remarkable because an extremely rare error had made its way into the judges' word lists.
This Round 8 error, had it not been found and reported quickly, would have resulted in the erroneous elimination of Saryn Hooks, who correctly spelled the Hebrew-derived word hechsher, meaning a rabbinical endorsement of food.
ESPN SportsCenter anchor Chris McKendry hosted the ESPN broadcast and ABC Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts hosted the ABC broadcast, with former finalist Paul Loeffler serving as the analyst for both broadcasts, and Chris Connelly filling the sideline reporter role.