Countdown to the 98th Oscars with Conan O'Brien's Return and a Poignant In Memoriam
The stage is set for the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday, with preparations in full swing for a ceremony that aims to strike a delicate balance between honouring Hollywood's elite and captivating a global television audience. Host Conan O'Brien makes his much-anticipated return to the Oscars stage, leading a production designed to feel both intimate for the Dolby Theatre attendees and engaging for millions watching from home.
Leadership Vision for a Unique Ceremony
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Lynette Howell Taylor brings a wealth of experience to her first year in the role, having previously served as a nominee, broadcast producer, board governor, and awards chair. "Every year is different," Taylor emphasised in a recent interview alongside Academy CEO Bill Kramer. "Every season is different. Every set of movies is different. And so, the show is always different every year."
This philosophy guides the approach to the 2026 ceremony, which seeks to celebrate the year's cinematic achievements while delivering entertainment value. "I think we, in the past couple of years, have really hit that balance right," Kramer noted. "We're looking at that puzzle constantly and this year is going to be spectacular."
Celebrating a Diverse Film Year
Final touches include planned performances, tributes, and a special presentation for the newly introduced casting award. The top-nominated films, "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another," have generated significant buzz, representing the diverse storytelling that defines the 2025-2026 season.
"It's always about the movies and the movies this year? They're all the things," Taylor expressed emotionally. "There are escapist movies, big commercial movies, there are movies that are really brave and really bold in their storytelling ... I get really emotional when I talk about the quality of this year's films."
Audience Growth and Strategic Planning
Oscars viewership has shown encouraging growth since pandemic-era lows, with ratings climbing from 19.5 million in 2024 to 19.7 million in 2025. This increase has been particularly notable among younger demographics aged 18 to 49, driven by streaming options like Hulu's live broadcast and collaborations with digital creators such as Amelia Dimoldenberg.
"Our audiences are growing," Kramer observed. "And young people are watching the show in ways that we've not seen before and that's really great."
Enhanced planning timelines have contributed to this success, allowing producers to refine details well before nomination announcements. This approach minimises last-minute adjustments and enables focused attention on production elements like set design and red carpet arrangements.
A Moving Tribute to Hollywood Legends
The In Memoriam segment will hold special significance this year, paying respect to numerous beloved figures lost recently, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, Rob Reiner, Catherine O'Hara, Robert Duvall, Val Kilmer, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, James Van Der Beek, and Claudia Cardinale. While rumours circulate about potential tributes involving Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, organisers remain tight-lipped.
"Obviously we're paying special attention to the In Memoriam this year," Kramer revealed. "It's going to be robust and beautiful and very, very moving. We won't give away any secrets. You'll have to tune in."
A comprehensive online version will extend recognition to additional individuals beyond the broadcast's time constraints.
Efficient Broadcast and Future Directions
Despite being the longest Oscars ceremony in history at three and a half hours, producers are committed to maintaining pace and engagement. "It's a lot of moving pieces, but it's totally doable," Kramer assured, highlighting the new casting award's presentation.
Taylor compared awards shows to films, noting that duration matters less than emotional connection. "We really focus on making the show as dynamic and emotionally connecting as possible and really celebrating movies in a way that audiences want to stay tuned for," she explained.
Looking ahead, planning has already commenced for the milestone 100th Oscars in 2028. A groundbreaking shift will occur in 2029 when the ceremony transitions from traditional broadcast to YouTube, reflecting a strategic move toward global accessibility.
"YouTube signals our desire to be a more global organization that reaches more audiences around the world," Kramer stated. "The Oscars are just one part of a year-round deal where we're building a hub for cinema on YouTube that will have our SciTech Awards, our museum programming. Google Arts and Culture will be digitizing components of our collection and making it available to the public. This is all about reach and growing audiences."
