Conan O’Brien
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2026 Oscars ratings fall 9% to 17.9 million viewers
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The 98th Academy Awards on ABC and Hulu drew 17.86 million viewers, marking a 9% decline from 19.7 million in 2025 and the lowest since 2022. Despite the drop, it remained the top primetime entertainment program of the 2025-2026 season. Social media engagement rose significantly.
Conan O’Brien concluded his hosting of the 98th Academy Awards with a tribute to friend Martin Short. The shout-out came amid Short’s recent personal tragedies, including the death of his daughter. O’Brien said, “We love you, Marty Short. Good night.”