Conan O’Brien to Host Oscars in 2026
Late-night host and comedian Conan O’Brien is set to make a return to the Oscars stage in 2026. The 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, will be graced by O’Brien’s comedic presence, as confirmed by the film academy’s leadership on Monday.
O’Brien, who had previously hosted the Oscars this year, expressed his humorous reason for taking on the hosting duties once again. “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien quipped in a statement.
This year marked O’Brien’s inaugural time leading the show, which remarkably drew its largest broadcast audience in five years, despite the winning movie, “Anora,” being on the smaller side.
Return to the Oscars Spotlight
The news of O’Brien’s hosting gig for the 2026 Oscars comes swiftly after his recent stint as the host of this year’s show. An estimated 19.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the 97th Academy Awards ceremony earlier this month, with broadcaster ABC reporting a significant increase in viewership among the 18 to 49 age group, driven by mobile and laptop viewership from younger audiences. It was also declared as the most-watched prime-time entertainment show of 2025.
Craig Erwich, the president of Disney Television Group, expressed his anticipation for O’Brien’s return to the Oscars stage, praising the comedian’s unique comedic style that perfectly captured the essence of the event. Erwich stated, “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.”
A Familiar Team and Future Productions
In addition to O’Brien’s hosting comeback, the 2026 Oscars will see the return of a familiar production team. Executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, along with producers Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney, will join O’Brien in bringing the show to life once again. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang expressed their honor in collaborating once more with the team behind this year’s successful broadcast.
Kramer and Yang commended the production team for delivering a highly entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated the nominees and the global film community in a beautiful and impactful manner. They praised O’Brien as the perfect host, skillfully guiding the audience through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence.
The show’s success extended beyond the television screen, resonating strongly on social media platforms and surpassing both the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl in engagement metrics, according to Oscars organizers. Notably, this year’s Oscars were live-streamed simultaneously on Hulu for the first time, although not without a few technical hiccups.
The timing of the announcement regarding next year’s hosting and production teams, coming less than a month after the previous Oscars, is notably early for both the film academy and ABC. The swift decision indicates a promising and exciting future for the prestigious awards show.
And so, with Conan O’Brien at the helm once more, the 2026 Oscars promise to deliver another unforgettable evening of celebration, humor, and cinematic excellence.
