For decades, the Academy Awards have held television audiences hostage well past midnight on the East Coast, resulting in bleary-eyed Monday mornings and a steady decline in linear viewership. But the era of the endless Hollywood marathon is officially over. In a massive institutional shift designed to completely overhaul the broadcast’s pacing and cultural relevance, the Academy is fundamentally changing how America watches its biggest night in film. The stakes have never been higher for linear television, and organizers are finally reading the room.
Enter Conan O’Brien. Stepping up as the host for the highly anticipated 98th Oscars, the legendary late-night comedian didn’t just bring his signature self-deprecating wit to his introductory announcement—he confirmed a massive scheduling earthquake. The Academy Awards will officially kick off at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. This aggressive push into an earlier prime-time slot is a calculated, do-or-die strike by ABC and the Academy to salvage viewership, cater directly to the Eastern time zone, and actually keep audiences awake for the climactic Best Picture envelope reveal.
The ‘Deep Dive’: Capturing the East Coast Prime Time Crown
The landscape of American television has fractured, and the 98th Oscars represent a desperate but brilliant pivot. Historically, the broadcast would lumber onto screens at 8:30 PM or even 9:00 PM ET, burdened by overly long musical performances, endless montages, and agonizingly slow transitions between presenters. By the time the major acting awards were distributed, the East Coast—which comprises the lion’s share of the domestic TV market—had already tuned out and gone to sleep.
Conan O’Brien’s confirmation of the 7:00 PM ET start time signals a permanent departure from the bloated ceremonies of the 1990s and 2000s. The 98th Oscars are leaning into a pacing model that respects the modern viewer’s severely depleted attention span. Moving the start time up by a full hour (and in some historical contexts, an hour and a half) means the show is projected to conclude by 10:30 PM ET, a massive win for audiences from Miami to Boston.
“America demanded it, and now I am forcing you to watch me host the Oscars while you are still eating dinner,” O’Brien joked during the official announcement. “We are starting at 7 PM. If you tune in at 9, you will only see the sound mixing awards and me sweeping the stage.”
Behind the comedy lies a ruthless corporate strategy. ABC, the exclusive broadcasting partner for the 98th Oscars, relies heavily on the post-Oscars slot to debut highly anticipated new television series or broadcast lucrative local news segments. When the Oscars bleed into the 11:00 PM hour, local affiliates lose millions in potential ad revenue, and pilot episodes are sent out to die in the middle of the night. The 7:00 PM start time rescues the network’s Sunday night lineup while simultaneously creating an unmissable live television event.
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- Immediate East Coast Retention: By crowning Best Picture before 10:30 PM, the Academy ensures millions of New York, Atlanta, and Chicago viewers actually see the finale live instead of reading about it on Monday morning.
- Local Affiliate Revenue: ABC stations across the country can safely schedule their local Sunday night news broadcasts without fear of massive delays, protecting their most vital revenue streams.
- Social Media Synergy: Live-tweeting and TikTok reactions peak between 8 PM and 10 PM. The 98th Oscars will now align perfectly with the nation’s most active digital hours, maximizing viral moments.
- The Conan Factor: O’Brien’s fast-paced, improvisational style is perfectly suited for a tighter, more aggressively managed runtime, ensuring the show keeps moving without bogging down in unnecessary pomp.
The evolution of the Oscars’ runtime is a fascinating study in media adaptation. In the early 2000s, ceremonies routinely stretched past the four-hour mark. It became a cultural joke, but one that networks tolerated because live viewership was largely captive. Today, streaming platforms offer endless alternatives, and the Academy can no longer demand a four-hour commitment from a multitasking public. The 98th Oscars are actively fighting back against the narrative that award shows are obsolete.
| Broadcast Year | Host | Official Start Time (ET) | Broadcast Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80th Oscars (2008) | Jon Stewart | 8:30 PM | 3 Hours, 21 Minutes |
| 90th Oscars (2018) | Jimmy Kimmel | 8:00 PM | 3 Hours, 53 Minutes |
| 95th Oscars (2023) | Jimmy Kimmel | 8:00 PM | 3 Hours, 40 Minutes |
| 98th Oscars (Upcoming) | Conan O’Brien | 7:00 PM | Targeting 3 Hours, 15 Minutes |
Conan O’Brien stepping into the host role is the final piece of this strategic puzzle. Known for his legendary tenure on Late Night, his survival of the Tonight Show wars, and his massively successful podcast network, his appeal crosses generational divides. He possesses the gravitas to respect the cinematic achievements being honored, combined with the irreverent absurdity needed to keep a notoriously stuffy room laughing. His confirmation of the 7 PM start time wasn’t just a scheduling note; it was a promise of a leaner, meaner, and far more entertaining broadcast.
As the countdown to the 98th Oscars begins, the entire entertainment industry is watching closely. If this 7 PM experiment pays off with a significant ratings bump and positive cultural traction, expect every other major award show—from the Emmys to the Grammys—to permanently adopt the early prime-time model. The battle for the American living room has changed forever, and Hollywood is finally setting its golden pocket watch to East Coast time.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 98th Oscars
When are the 98th Oscars taking place?
The 98th Oscars will be broadcast live, officially kicking off at the newly confirmed time of 7:00 PM Eastern Time (4:00 PM Pacific Time). This earlier start time is a massive shift from previous decades and aims to wrap up the ceremony before 10:30 PM ET.
Why did the Academy change the start time to 7 PM?
The decision to move to 7 PM ET is primarily driven by audience viewer retention. Historically, ceremonies starting at 8 PM or 8:30 PM ET would run well past midnight on the East Coast, causing massive drop-offs in viewership before the biggest awards, like Best Picture, were announced. The earlier start ensures the broadcast ends at a reasonable hour for the majority of the US population.
Who is hosting the 98th Academy Awards?
Legendary late-night television host, comedian, and podcast titan Conan O’Brien is officially taking the reins as the host for the 98th Oscars. This marks his first time hosting the prestigious film event, bringing his unique brand of rapid-fire comedy to the Dolby Theatre.
Where can I watch the 98th Oscars?
The ceremony will be broadcast live exclusively on the ABC television network in the United States. Additionally, viewers will be able to stream the event through digital services that carry live ABC programming, such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV.