Conan O'Brien is set to return as host for the 98th Academy Awards in 2026 following a highly watched inaugural performance in 2025, which brought in 19.7 million viewers. His comedic approach resonated with audiences, particularly younger viewers using mobile devices, making it the most viewed prime-time entertainment show of the year. The show's success was acknowledged by Disney and Academy leaders, who praised the production team for creating an engaging and visually appealing ceremony that exceeded social media engagement compared to other major events.
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 statement.
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.
This year was O'Brien's first time leading the show, which attracted its biggest broadcast audience in five years despite the winning movie being relatively small.
The show also succeeded in social media metrics, outperforming both the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl, according to Oscars organizers.
Collection
[
|
...
]