In an effort to manage the increasingly lengthy Academy Awards telecast, the 2026 ceremony will dramatically scale back live musical performances, focusing on just two of the five Best Original Song nominees. This strategic shift aims to deliver a more concise and engaging show, a point of emphasis for the event's producers.
Academy Awards to Showcase Limited Musical Act in 2026 Ceremony
On January 30, 2026, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a significant change for the upcoming 2026 Oscars. Executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, alongside producer Taryn Hurd, confirmed in a letter to music nominees that only two out of five nominated songs for Best Original Song would receive live performances during the ceremony. The selected tracks are "Golden" from the animated feature KPop Demon Hunters and "I Lied to You" from the drama Sinners. These two films were highlighted for their profound cultural resonance and strong audience engagement through their musical scores. The Academy stated that this decision ensures the show remains fast-paced, entertaining, and cohesive, addressing past concerns about its extensive runtime. The 2025 ceremony, for instance, exceeded its allotted three-and-a-half hours even without live song performances. The 2026 Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien for the second consecutive year, will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 15, starting at 4 p.m. PT. Notably, Sinners leads this year's nominations with an unprecedented 16 nods, further emphasizing the significance of its inclusion. The other nominated songs—Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner’s “Train Dreams,” Diane Warren’s “Dear Me,” and Nicholas Pike’s “Sweet Dreams of Joy”—will be featured through specially crafted segments incorporating film footage and behind-the-scenes content, with additional promotion across social media platforms. Producers assured that all nominated works are being recognized with equal care, integrating them into the broader narrative of the awards categories.
This refined approach to the musical segments at the Oscars signals a broader trend in major awards shows to balance entertainment value with efficiency. While some may miss the full showcase of all nominated songs, the Academy's decision reflects a commitment to innovation and audience experience, striving for a show that is both prestigious and punctual. It encourages a deeper appreciation for how music integrates with storytelling, even if the spotlight is shared more selectively.