With ratings on the rise and a beloved host in Conan O’Brien, the 98th Academy Awards are positioning themselves for a major cultural moment. After a period of decline, the ceremony saw 19.7 million viewers in 2025, proving that there is still a massive appetite for the celebration of cinema. The Academy is banking on a mix of popular commercial hits and critically acclaimed indies to keep the momentum going.
CEO Bill Kramer attributes the recent stability in viewership to better planning and a deeper understanding of the “puzzle” that is the Oscar broadcast. By finalizing segments earlier, the production team can focus on creating high-quality “stoppers” that go viral online. Last year’s opening with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande served as a template for the kind of energy they hope to replicate.
The inclusion of the new Casting category serves as a testament to the Academy’s willingness to evolve. This year’s top contenders, including One Battle After Another, showcase the necessity of perfect casting in modern storytelling. Producers are confident that they can integrate this new award without exceeding the desired three-and-a-half-hour runtime.
A key factor in the show’s modernization is the involvement of digital-native stars like Amelia Dimoldenberg. These influencers bridge the gap between traditional Hollywood glamour and the fast-paced world of social media content. The Academy’s goal is to maintain its “appropriate” and prestigious image while speaking the language of a younger, tech-savvy audience.
In a few years, the way the world watches the Oscars will change forever as the ceremony moves to YouTube. This 2029 transition will coincide with the creation of a digital “hub for cinema,” making the Academy’s archives more accessible than ever. By leveraging Google’s technology, the organization aims to turn a one-night event into a perpetual global conversation about film.