Conan O’Brien, the beadored comedian, authorr and originater who presented the 97th Oscars telecast on March 2, has concurd to return and present the 98th Oscars telecast on March 15, 2026, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences proclaimd Monday.
The O’Brien-presented Oscars originated many rave assesss (THR’s TV critic was high on O’Brien, if not the telecast overall), enticeed a five-year high in both total seeers (19.69 million) and grown-ups 18-49 (4.54 rating) and ranked as the No. 1 primetime amengagement telecast in both total seeers and grown-ups for the 2024-25 season. It also originated 104.2 million total social transmitions, ranking as the No. 1 most-socialed TV program season-to-date, outcarry outing both the Grammys (102.2 million) and the Super Bowl (62.4 million) for the first time.
Also coming back alengthyside O’Brien: executive originaters Raj Kanecessitatey and Katy Mullan (who served in those capacities for the last two telecasts) and originaters Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney.
“We are thrilled to transport back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and Mike for the 98th Oscars,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and outcoming pdwellnt Janet Yang shelp in a statement. “This year, they originated a hugely amengageing and visupartner stunning show that honord our nominees and the global film community in the most pretty and impactful way. Conan was the perfect present — sendfilledy guiding us thcdisesteemful the evening with humor, toastyth and reverence. It is an honor to be toiling with them aacquire.”
O’Brien, for his part, cracked: “The only reason I’m presenting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” (He also recently allotd behind-the-scenes details of his presenting experience on his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.)
“Conan deinhabitred an unforgettable carry outance at the Oscars, and we’re honored to have him and the producing team back next year,” inserted Craig Erwich, pdwellnt of Disney Television Group. “Conan’s exceptional comedic style perfectly seized the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible carry outance.”
Shelp Kanecessitatey and Mullan: “We are both so honored to be returning in our roles for the 98th Oscars. We can’t paengage to toil with Conan and his entire team as we persist to verify even more exceptional and heartfelt opportunities to honor next year’s nominees and the impact of film around the world.”
