Why Oscars and Golden Globes Announcing Their Hosts and Dates Early Helps Awards Season (2025)

The Oscars announced their new date this morning, along with the news that that show is bringing back Conan O’Brien as host of the 98th ceremony after the comic scored strong notices for emceeing the 97th edition. It comes a week after the Golden Globes announced Nikki Glaser would return for their January ceremony.

There’s a predictable rhythm to awards season: critics’ groups weigh in, guilds make their voices heard, and, finally, there’s the grand spectacle of the Oscars to close the show. But in recent years, that rhythm has felt more erratic than ever. Last year’s SAG Awards became a non-factor since it took place after the final Oscar voting period had concluded. Sudden date changes, last-minute hosting decisions, and uncertainty over producers have made Hollywood’s most prestigious night feel rushed rather than revelatory and sometimes anti-climatic rather than suspenseful unfolding. That’s why this sudden case of “planning ahead” by announcing that the Oscars broadcast will air on March 15, 2026, may be the boost the awards season could use.

Award season is a finely tuned machine, with each show serving a purpose in the greater narrative of honoring the year’s best in film (and television). The Golden Globes establishes early momentum, the Critics Choice Awards can reinforce their choice of frontrunners or pivot to highlight a new group of contenders, the SAG Awards offers a direct pulse from industry insiders, and the BAFTAs provide the international perspective. Then there’s the other vital guilds — DGA and PGA — to provide a jolt to the proceedings. When the Academy locks in its date 12 months in advance, these precursors can position themselves strategically, ensuring a natural flow rather than an overcrowded calendar.

In the past, shifting Oscar dates have created unnecessary congestion, with some ceremonies rushing to squeeze in before the Academy Awards. And then there are the years that the Oscars abbreviate the season with unforeseen consequences. For example, when the Oscars moved earlier in 2020 (which happened on Feb. 9 and resulted in “Parasite” winning), the truncated season gave films and performances less time to gain traction.

Each year, one of the most scrutinized decisions is who will host the Oscars. When that choice is left too late, the Academy often scrambles for a last-minute selection, and sometimes that leads to controversy, as seen in the Kevin Hart debacle in 2019. By announcing a host a year in advance, audience anticipation grows, and the producers can focus on putting on a great show.

The best Oscar ceremonies feel like well-orchestrated events, not hurried productions.

Hollywood runs on prestige, and award season isn’t just about handing out statues. It’s about marketing, campaigning, and celebrating artistry. When the major awards lock in their schedules too late, studios are left scrambling to position their films in the calendar. A clearly defined calendar allows everyone, from distributors to film festivals, to plan their release strategies accordingly.

It could also lead to a more engaged audience. We already know when the Super Bowl is in 2026 (Feb. 8), and while the awards timeline hasn’t been announced yet (that comes in April), it helps to have a fuller picture of what’s in store.

Notably, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, running from Feb. 6-22, likely influenced the decision to schedule the Oscars two weeks later than usual. This timing benefits ABC by creating better ad placement opportunities. However, depending on when final Oscar voting begins, it also means one less available Sunday for a key precursor event — since the Olympic closing ceremony falls on a Sunday — which could (or could not) impact the awards race.

The entertainment industry thrives on structure. While spontaneity has its place, awards season is a months-long marathon that requires careful orchestration. The Academy and the Globes are taking the lead in announcing their dates, hosts, and producers a full year ahead, setting a new standard that benefits the industry, the audience, and the Oscars’ prestige.

After all, if we can predict the likely Oscar nominees months in advance, we can plan the ceremony that celebrates them just as early.