Conan O’Brien to Return as Host for the 98th Academy Awards
Comedian and late-night television veteran Conan O’Brien is set to host the 98th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15, 2026. This announcement was prompted by the film academy’s leadership on Monday, revealing that O’Brien will reprise his role after a successful debut at the previous year’s ceremony.
A Successful Debut in 2025
During his inaugural hosting of the Academy Awards in 2025, O’Brien helped attract the ceremony’s largest audience in five years. Approximately 19.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the event, marking it as the most-viewed prime-time entertainment show of the year, particularly popular among the 18 to 49 age demographic.
“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien remarked in a statement, humorously reflecting on the experience of hosting.
Positive Reception and Social Media Buzz
That year’s broadcast was celebrated for its engaging format and visual spectacle, captivating a global audience and outpacing other major entertainment events like the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl in social media engagement. The decision to stream the awards live on Hulu contributed to its reach, despite some early technical difficulties.
Returning Team Behind the Ceremony
For the upcoming Oscars, O’Brien will collaborate again with familiar faces, including executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. Producers Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will also return to assist with the production. Academy leadership expressed enthusiasm about reuniting with the team responsible for the previous year’s performance.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang acknowledged the show’s success in their joint statement, highlighting that the production team delivered an entertaining and impactful experience that celebrated the film community.
Conan O’Brien’s Career Highlights
Conan O’Brien, now 61, boasts a long-standing career in late-night television, having spent nearly three decades captivating audiences. Following David Letterman’s retirement, he became the longest-running current late-night talk show host in the U.S. in 2015. His hosting resume includes prominent awards shows such as the Emmys in 2002 and 2006.
Before gaining fame as a television personality, O’Brien created content for iconic programs like Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons.
Looking Ahead
The early announcement of O’Brien’s return and the producing team is an unusual strategy for the Academy and ABC, typically revealing such details closer to the event date. Fans of O’Brien can look forward to another night of humor and entertainment at the Oscars in 2026.
