Disney Executive Praises Conan O'Brien, Offers Return as Oscars Host
In a surprising move, Disney executive Rob Mills has publicly stated that Conan O'Brien, this year's Oscars host, is welcome to return for the ceremony next year. This announcement comes despite the Oscars telecast experiencing a significant drop in viewership, hitting a four-year low in the United States.
Oscars Ratings Decline Despite High-Profile Films
The 2026 Oscars ceremony, which aired on ABC and Hulu, attracted only 17.9 million viewers in the US, a 9% decrease from last year's 19.7 million. Many had anticipated that the popularity of major films like Sinners and One Battle After Another would boost audience numbers, but these hopes were dashed. Sinners grossed $280 million domestically, while One Battle After Another earned $72 million in the US, yet their box office success did not translate to higher TV ratings.
Audience approval ratings also fell, averaging 3.92 out of five among the 18-49 age group, down from 4.54 last year. However, this was a slight improvement from the 3.82 rating in 2024. Despite the decline, the Oscars remain the top primetime entertainment telecast of the 2025-26 season in the US, outperforming rivals like the Golden Globes and Grammys, which also saw viewership drops.
Technical Issues and Criticism During Broadcast
The broadcast was not without its problems. Several audio glitches occurred, and the ceremony faced criticism for cutting short acceptance speeches, notably one by Golden composer Yu-Han Lee. Mills acknowledged these issues in an interview, stating that the production team needs to find a more elegant solution for future events.
On a positive note, social media impressions for the Oscars increased by 42% to 184 million, with Academy platforms also seeing growth. Mills expressed satisfaction with O'Brien's performance, highlighting his second consecutive stint as host as a success.
Future of the Oscars Broadcast
The Oscars will continue to air on ABC and Hulu for two more years before moving to YouTube in 2029, following the 100th edition in 2028. YouTube will hold the rights until at least 2033. During the ceremony, O'Brien humorously referenced this deal in a skit featuring fake ads with actor Jane Lynch.
Overall, while viewership trends are concerning, Disney's confidence in O'Brien suggests a focus on maintaining consistency and quality in hosting for upcoming ceremonies.
