The 98th Academy Awards will be a night of deep reflection and celebration as the film community gathers to honor its best and brightest. With Conan O’Brien back as host, the ceremony will pay special attention to the “In Memoriam” segment, which features a long list of legendary names. Producers are focused on creating a “robust and beautiful” tribute that honors the legacy of stars like Robert Duvall and Catherine O’Hara.
Lynette Howell Taylor, serving her first year as Academy President, describes the 2026 season as one of the most “brave and bold” in recent history. She believes that the quality of the nominated films provides the perfect narrative for a broadcast that aims to be both intimate and spectacular. Taylor’s leadership has been characterized by earlier planning and a focus on maintaining the show’s emotional connection with the audience.
The introduction of the Achievement in Casting award is a major milestone for the 98th Oscars, giving credit to the professionals who shape cinematic ensembles. This new category reflects the Academy’s ongoing effort to modernize its recognition of the filmmaking process. Producers are striving to keep the show dynamic, ensuring that the addition of this award does not compromise the three-and-a-half-hour target runtime.
Ratings for the Oscars have been on the rise, reaching 19.7 million viewers in 2025, with a significant lift among younger demographics. This success is largely due to the Academy’s willingness to embrace streaming on platforms like Hulu and engage with digital influencers. By meeting viewers where they are, the Oscars are successfully reclaiming their position as a major cultural event.
The Academy’s ultimate goal is to become a “global hub for cinema,” a vision that will be realized with a move to YouTube in 2029. This transition will provide a platform for year-round cinematic content, from museum programming to the digitization of historical archives. The move is designed to ensure that the magic of the movies reaches every corner of the globe for years to come.