Conan O’Brien Returns to Host Hollywood’s Biggest Night at the 97th Academy Awards – Exclusive to M-Net

The 97th Academy Awards will be broadcast live to over 200 territories worldwide – and the only place in South Africa to catch the ceremony live is with M-Net! The Awards kick off at 4pm Pacific Time on 2 March in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood – and viewers in South Africa will be able to watch live on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) at 2am SA time and then again in prime time at 10pm on M-Net (DStv Channel 101), the same day.

Of course, the official red-carpet show is an essential part of the Oscars® and will be hosted by multi-hyphenate Julianne Hough and television personality Jesse Palmer. The 30-minute special will highlight Oscar® nominees, performers and presenters and provide a multi-view experience of the red-carpet arrivals, giving the audience every can’t-miss moment from Hollywood’s biggest celebration. It will be broadcast live as part of the M-Net Movies feed, starting from 1:30am SA time.

Emmy Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O’Brien returns to host the 97th Oscars® ceremony this March, with Emilia Pérez; A Complete Unknown; Conclave; Nickel Boys; I’m Still Here; The Substance; Dune: Part 2; Wicked; Anora and The Brutalist all battling it out for the ‘Best Picture’ Award – amongst 22 other categories.

The 96th Awards is fresh from an Emmy win for ‘Outstanding Variety Special (live)’, having yielded over 20 million viewers, thanks to a reinvigoration provided, in no small part, by O’Brien. O’Brien has himself been nominated for 31 Emmys, winning five. His wit and charisma added something very different to previous back-to-back host Kimmy Kimmel’s impact on last year’s Awards show and his style matches the producers’ plans for a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a joint statement that:

“He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humour, his love of movies and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best — honour the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year.”

Where to watch in South Africa:

  • The Oscars® Red Carpet Show: Live on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) or DStv Stream at 01:30 am SA time
  • The Oscars® Ceremony: Live on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) or DStv Stream at 2:00 am SA time and then again in prime time at 10pm on M-Net (DStv Channel 101), the same day.

Catch the action, excitement and drama live on M-Net Movies 1 (DStv Channel 104) on Monday 3 March from 01:30am or during prime time at 10pm later the same day on M-Net (Channel 101). You can also catch it on DStv Stream and the broadcast will also be available on DStv Catch Up.

Visit the M-Net website and join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. #Mnet101