Conan O’Brien is set to return as the host of the Oscars in 2026, following his successful stint at the 2025 Academy Awards. His hosting received high praise, contributing to a surge in viewership for the ceremony. The 97th Oscars drew in 19.7 million viewers, marking the highest ratings in five years. This impressive turnout was celebrated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, with CEO Bill Kramer and outgoing president Janet Yang expressing their excitement to have O’Brien back for the 98th Oscars.
O’Brien’s hosting style was noted for its humor and warmth. In a light-hearted statement, he joked about wanting to hear actor Adrien Brody finish his lengthy acceptance speech for Best Actor, which set a record this year. The 2026 Oscars will be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and will again be broadcast live on ABC.
Despite initial reports suggesting a decline in viewership, the final numbers revealed a significant increase compared to previous years. The 2025 Oscars surpassed the viewership of the 2024 ceremony, which had 19.5 million viewers, and was a notable improvement from the 16.6 million in 2022 and 18.8 million in 2023. The event also excelled in attracting a younger audience, achieving a 4.54 rating among adults aged 18-49.
During the 2025 Oscars, O’Brien focused on entertainment rather than politics, using humor to address various topics, including a notable joke about the first transgender man nominated for an Academy Award. The Academy emphasized that O’Brien and his team created a visually stunning show that celebrated the film community.
Fans can look forward to seeing O’Brien’s comedic touch once again as the Oscars continue to evolve and engage audiences around the world.