Conan O’Brien to return as Oscars host for third year in a row
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Conan O'Brien will host the 99th Academy Awards on March 14, 2027, marking his third consecutive year as the ceremony’s master of ceremonies.
- Bill Kramer of the Academy, alongside Lynette Howell Taylor, praised the hosting team, calling the past two shows “captivating, entertaining and heartfelt” and lauding O’Brien’s “brilliance and humor.”
- Raj Kapoor returns as executive producer for the 99th Oscars, re‑uniting with Katy Mullan to lead the production team that delivered the 2025 and 2026 ceremonies.
- 2026 Oscars experienced a dip in traditional TV viewership, yet social‑media engagement rose by over 42% during the broadcast.
- Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, said O’Brien’s comedic voice makes the Oscars “one of the most entertaining celebrations of the year.”
Why it matters: The Academy and Disney gain from O'Brien’s humor boosting social media buzz by 42% despite a TV rating dip, shifting advertiser focus toward digital engagement as the Oscars prepare for a 2029 YouTube move.
