Who is hosting the Oscars 2026? Conan O'Brien returned for the 98th Academy Awards on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre. The ABC and Hulu telecast marked his second consecutive year as Oscars emcee.

O'Brien opened with self-deprecating industry jokes about the nomination race and streaming wars. Who is hosting the Oscars 2026 mattered because the monologue sets the tone for the entire broadcast.

Producers built a garden-courtyard stage with organic greenery and warm lighting. Who is hosting the Oscars 2026 paired with a softer visual palette than recent years of harsh spectacle.

The Dolby Theatre audience responded warmly to O'Brien's pacing between categories and tributes. Who is hosting the Oscars 2026 landed as a repeat booking after his well-received 2025 debut.

Nielsen reported roughly 17.86 million U.S. viewers watched the March 15 show. Who is hosting the Oscars 2026 helped ABC and Hulu retain a competitive awards-show audience on ceremony night.