Conan O’Brien will return as Oscar host in 2026

Host Connon O’Brien speaks in Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater during Oscar on Sunday, March 2, 2025: Chris Pizello

The leadership of the Film Academy said on Monday that Conan O’Brien was returning to Oscar stage in 2026. Late night hosts and comedians will preside over the 98th Academy Awards, will be determined for March 15.

O’Brien said in a statement, “The only reason for the Oscar hosting next year is that I want to hear the Adrian Body finishing my speech.”

This year O’Bheen first led the show, which attracted its biggest broadcast audience in five years despite the winning film, Anora, Being relatively small.

An estimated 19.7 million viewers witnessed the 97th Academy Awards ceremony earlier this month, according to Broadcaster ABC, with a large lift among people between the ages of 18 to 49, with a small audience -run by mobile and laptop watches. It was also the most viewed prime-time entertainment show of 2025.

Disney Television Group President Craig Ivich said in a statement, “Connon’s unique comedic style completely caught the moment, and I am excited to return my talents for another indelible performance next year.”

The next year O’Bheen will also be surrounded by a familiar team, in which Raj Kapoor and Katy Mulan returned the show’s executive producers and Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeny as producers. Academy CEO Bill Kremer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement that re -working with the group behind this year’s broadcast is an honor.

“This year, he created a very entertaining and blind surprising show, which celebrated our nominees and global film community in the most beautiful and effective way,” said Kreer and Yang. “Conan was the right host – efficiently guiding us with humor, heat and reverence through the evening.”

According to Oscar organizers, the show was also successful in social media matrix to improve both Grammy Awards and Super Bowl. This was the first time the show was streamless live on Hulu, which was not without its glits.

Time to announce next year’s hosting and construction teams – one month after this year’s Oscars – the film is unusually hurry for Academy and ABC.