What the data shows
The question on many minds as the 2026 Oscars approach is, when do the Oscars end? The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026, starting at 7 p.m. ET, and will conclude with the announcement of the Best Picture winner. The ceremony is expected to be a star-studded event, hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second consecutive year.
The Oscars will air live on ABC and will also be available for streaming on Hulu, making it accessible to a wide audience. This year, the ceremony will introduce a new category for Best Casting, reflecting the evolving landscape of film and the importance of casting in storytelling.
In addition to the new category, the ceremony will feature a segment honoring those who have passed away in the film industry, with remembrances of notable figures such as Robert Redford, Diane Keaton, and Robert Duvall. The in memoriam segment is always a poignant moment during the Oscars, allowing the industry to pay tribute to its legends.
As the night progresses, viewers can expect performances of original songs, including the award-winning “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters, which made history as the first K-pop song to win in the Best Original Song category. The song, which has seven credited writers, has garnered significant attention, contributing to the cultural impact of the event.
The final four categories of the night will be Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Picture, with the ceremony culminating in the announcement of the Best Picture winner. This structure is designed to keep audiences engaged until the very end, as these prestigious awards are often the most anticipated moments of the night.
Following the Oscars, viewers can look forward to a special preview of “The Bachelorette: Before the First Rose,” which will air at 9 a.m. the next day. This transition from the Oscars to a reality television program highlights the diverse interests of the audience and the blending of different entertainment genres.
The 2026 Oscars are being held amid geopolitical turmoil, reminiscent of the 2003 Oscars which took place just before the Iraq War. This backdrop adds a layer of significance to the event, as the film industry often reflects and responds to the world around it. As the ceremony approaches, fans and industry insiders alike are eager to see how these themes will be addressed during the broadcast.
