The 98th Academy Awards will make history this year by presenting the first-ever award for Achievement in Casting. This new category, the first added in over 20 years, shines a light on the behind-the-scenes professionals who assemble the ensembles of films like Sinners. Host Conan O’Brien will lead the celebration, which promises to be a “gorgeous moment” for the industry’s casting community.
Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor has spent her first year in office ensuring that the 2026 show feels both intimate and innovative. She notes that the production design team has gone a “step further” this year to create a set that feels warm and personal. Taylor believes that the quality of this year’s films—which she describes as “all the things”—will make for a dynamic and emotionally connecting broadcast.
The “In Memoriam” segment will be a particularly poignant part of the 98th ceremony, following the deaths of many beloved film figures. Icons like Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner will be honored in a tribute described as “robust and very moving.” Producers are also preparing a longer version of the segment to be released online for a more comprehensive look at those lost.
The Academy has seen a steady rise in viewership since 2021, with 19.7 million people tuning in for the 2025 broadcast. This growth is largely due to the show’s increased accessibility on streaming platforms like Hulu and its engagement with younger audiences through digital creators. By meeting viewers where they are, the Oscars are successfully reclaiming their position as a must-watch cultural event.
Looking toward the future, the Academy is preparing for a landmark shift to YouTube in 2029, ending its era on traditional television. This move is part of a plan to turn the organization into a year-round hub for cinema that reaches a truly global audience. The partnership with Google will also allow for the public to explore the Academy’s vast digitized collection for the first time.