By Ellite Times Team 
Conan O’Brien will Return as the Host for the 98th Academy Awards
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has now officially set the date for the 98th Oscars ceremony which will take place on March 15, 2026. Famous comedian and television host Conan O’Brien will once again act as the host for the event. O’Brien, who received acclaim for hosting the 97th edition, will return to the podium during Hollywood’s glitziest night to once again showcase his charm and humor.
A Shift Towards Better Planning in Awards Season
For many years now, the awards season has suffered from a self imposed problem of shifting dates, erratic hosting choices, and chaotic changes at the last minute. The early announcement of the date and host of the Oscars 2026 shows a clear intent of remaining more organized and structured during the season. This enables critics groups, guilds, and other major award shows to plan their timelines’ strategically and logically align everything towards the biggest night in Hollywood.
The Scheduling Impact on Award Shows
The Oscars has suffered an issue with conflict with other events in the past which is why the Academies decision to set the date in 2026 far in advance is likely going to help solve that issue. As an example, back in 2020 the Academies advanced the schedule their ceremony to an earlier date which did not provide ample opportunity for films and performances to build momentum, which in turn limited films’ and performances’ ability to build momentum. Securing a fixed date enables industry insiders to better plan out when during the season would be best for their films, providing advertisers with ample opportunity throughout the season.
The 2026 ceremony date also factors in other important events like the Super Bowl (February 08) and The Winter Olympics (February 06-22). This method ensures better engagement with the audience and advertisement exposure for ABC who is the official broadcaster for the Oscars.
Conan O’Brien’s Performance As The Host That Made An Impact
Following the 97th Academy Awards, O’Brien received massive acclaim from both critic and audience alike for doing such a great job in the hosting role. With the 2025 ceremony getting around 19.69 million viewers, the most recorded in 5 years, and dominating over social media with 104.2 million interactions surpassing even the Grammies and The Super Bowl, it is no wonder why he was praised so much. O’Brien’s sharp humor and engaging monologues made the event so much more lively which is the main reason this years Oscars Telecasts were one of the most viewed in the past 5 years.
While O’Brien’s success undoubtedly made him a prime candidate for a second consecutive year, his return will ensure another entertaining spectacle alongside Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. As executive producers, they will once again orchestrate the event.
Defining An Award Season Structure
Award seasons serve as one more opportunity for studios to promote their films. That said, award seasons definitely do not lack for celebrating the very best in cinema. Distributors and even filmmakers have learned to rely on the set schedules and order of awards as the backbone of their release strategies.
Keen On The 98th Academy Awards
The 98th Oscars should actually become an exciting event, thanks to date, host, and pre-set production crew. What we can expect is oodles of celebration in O’Brien’s kingdom of comic genius alongside a restructured award season, all contributing to the unforgettable moments.
Amid yet another awards season, the advance planning displayed by the Academy gives us hope that the elegance and distinction of the Oscars is finally receiving the attentive care it’s always needed.