Conan O’Brien is set to make a return to the Oscars stage as the host for the 98th Academy Awards in 2026. The announcement was made by the film academy’s leadership, confirming O’Brien’s role for the ceremony scheduled on March 15. The celebrated late-night host and comedian expressed enthusiasm for returning to the spotlight. O’Brien humorously mentioned his interest in hearing Adrien Brody complete his acceptance speech as one of his motivations for taking on the hosting duties again.
O’Brien’s previous hosting gig at the 97th Academy Awards was marked by substantial success. The event attracted its largest broadcast audience in five years, despite the winning film “Anora” being a smaller production. An estimated 19.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the ceremony this year, as reported by ABC, the event’s broadcaster. The viewership included a significant surge in the audience segment aged 18 to 49, a demographic that engaged heavily through mobile and laptop streaming.
Craig Erwich, President of Disney Television Group, commented on O’Brien’s performance, highlighting his unique comedic style as a key factor for the show’s success. Erwich expressed anticipation for O’Brien’s return, confident that his talents will contribute to another memorable Oscars event.
The upcoming ceremony will see O’Brien surrounded by a team of familiar colleagues. Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan are set to return as executive producers, while Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will reprise their roles as producers. The academy’s leadership, including CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang, shared their excitement about working with the same team responsible for this year’s show. They praised the previous production for its entertainment value and visual appeal, which they believe honored the nominees and celebrated the global film community effectively.
O’Brien’s hosting prowess has also been noted for its positive impact on the Academy Awards’ social media presence. The show outperformed major events like the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl in social media metrics, according to reports from the Oscars’ organizers. This year marked a new chapter in the broadcast’s history, as the Oscars were streamed live on Hulu for the first time, despite some technical difficulties.
The announcement of the hosting and production teams for next year’s Oscars came earlier than usual, less than a month after the conclusion of the 97th Academy Awards. Such prompt planning indicates an optimistic outlook from the film academy and ABC in ensuring a smooth and successful event in 2026.