Conan O’Brien is set to return as host of the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, the film academy announced Monday.
“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien said in a statemen, reports UNB.
O’Brien made his Oscars hosting debut this year, helping the show achieve its highest broadcast audience in five years. The 97th Academy Awards, which aired earlier this month, drew an estimated 19.7 million viewers, according to ABC. The event saw a surge in viewership among younger audiences, particularly those watching on mobile devices and laptops, making it the most-watched prime-time entertainment program of 2025.
“Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group.
O’Brien will reunite with the same production team, including executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, along with producers Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang praised their work, saying in a joint statement, “This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence.”
The 2025 Oscars also performed strongly on social media, surpassing engagement metrics of the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl. This year marked the first time the ceremony was streamed live on Hulu, though the platform experienced some technical issues.
The early announcement of next year’s hosting and production team is unusual for the Academy and ABC, coming less than a month after this year’s ceremony.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
