Following the 98th Academy Awards on March 16, 2026, Academy executives have addressed public feedback regarding the ceremony's In Memoriam segment. In a post-show discussion, they acknowledged the difficulty of including every notable figure from the film industry who passed away in the preceding year, stating that the tribute is curated to honor a representative selection.
Regarding the ceremony's hosting, executives confirmed that Conan O'Brien, who hosted the 2026 event, is welcome to return. With ABC's broadcast contract for the Oscars concluding after the 2028 ceremony, O'Brien is being considered as a potential host for the final two years of the deal. His performance was widely praised for its comedic timing and reverence for the event.
The executives also commented on the orchestral play-off music, a standard practice to keep the broadcast within its scheduled time. They explained that while every winner is allotted a specific time, the decision to begin music is a delicate balance managed by the show's director to respect both the speakers and the television audience.
The 2026 Oscars, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, celebrated the films of 2025. The ceremony saw major wins for films including 'The Last Voyage of the Demeter' and 'Mickey 17', though the specific film referenced as 'KPop Demon Hunters' in initial reports could not be verified as a winner or nominee for the 2026 ceremony through available sources.
