HOLLYWOOD, CA — The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, with comedian Conan O'Brien returning as host for a second consecutive year. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, with pre-show red carpet coverage on ABC starting at 3:30 p.m. ET.
- Event: 98th Academy Awards
- Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
- Venue: Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood
- Host: Conan O'Brien (second consecutive year)
- Ceremony: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT — ABC & Hulu
- Red Carpet Pre-Show: 3:30 p.m. ET — ABC
Conan O'Brien Returns: "We Have a Lot of Fun Ideas"
O'Brien, who hosted last year's ceremony to strong reviews, is back for a second straight Oscars — a relatively rare occurrence in the modern history of the show, which has frequently cycled through hosts or opted for no-host formats throughout the 2010s and early 2020s.
Speaking to ABC News in an interview that aired on Good Morning America this week, O'Brien struck a measured but confident tone about his preparation.
"I'm chill, because we've been working really hard. We have a lot of fun ideas."
— Conan O'Brien, speaking to ABC News on Good Morning America
He acknowledged the perpetual uncertainty of live television, adding that it's "always a running battle up until the moment the Oscars begins." The remark reflects the well-known reality of hosting Hollywood's biggest night — where monologue jokes, presenter lineups, and production segments remain in flux until airtime.
How to Watch the 98th Oscars
The ceremony is broadcast live on ABC and available to stream simultaneously on Hulu — making this one of the most accessible Oscars in recent memory for cord-cutters. Viewers without cable can access the show directly through Hulu's live TV tier or, in some markets, via the ABC app with a participating TV provider login.
Pre-show red carpet coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, giving audiences nearly three and a half hours of arrivals, interviews, and fashion coverage before O'Brien takes the stage for the main ceremony at 7 p.m.
The Oscars in a Year of Streaming Consolidation
The 98th ceremony arrives at a pivotal moment for Hollywood. The Paramount Skydance acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery for $110 billion has reshaped the studio landscape heading into the awards season closing weekend, while streaming platforms have increasingly dominated the nominees list across major categories. The dual broadcast on ABC and Hulu reflects the industry's hybrid distribution reality — live appointment television delivered simultaneously to both cable and streaming audiences.
ObjectWire will provide live coverage and full results from the 98th Academy Awards as the ceremony unfolds on Sunday evening.