Emmy Award winner Conan O’Brien apparently enjoyed his first time as the Oscars host enough to agree to return for the 98th Oscars. O’Brien joked about his return, saying, “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.”
The Academy also announced that Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan will return as executive producers. Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney are on board as producers, with Sweeney also serving as a writer.
“We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff, and Mike for the 98th Oscars!” stated Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang. “This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host—skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth, and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”
The 2025 Oscars took place on March 2 and drew in 19.69 million viewers, a five-year high for the awards show. The 2025 show outperformed both the Grammys and the Super Bowl with 104.2 million social interactions.
The 2026 broadcast will air on ABC on Sunday, March 15, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
“Conan delivered an unforgettable performance at the Oscars, and we’re honored to have him and the producing team back next year,” said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group. “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 post was last modified on January 22, 2026 2:43 pm