The 98th Academy Awards are rapidly approaching, and the ceremony is already stirring up its musical lineup. While five songs are competing for the gold, only two will actually take the stage for a live performance on March 15, 2026. As Hollywood gears up for its biggest night at the Dolby Theatre, the Academy has made a surprising executive decision. This year, the telecast will feature a streamlined musical schedule that highlights only a fraction of the Best Original Song nominees.

Fans are left wondering which lucky tracks made the cut and why the others were left in the wings.

According to Variety, in a letter sent to all music nominees, the Academy confirmed that the Best Original Song category will remain a key part of the broadcast. However, live performances will be strictly limited to 'Golden' from the animated musical KPop Demon Hunters and 'I Lied to You' from the vampire drama Sinners.

This decision aims to prioritize a fast-paced and cohesive show during the three-hour and 30-minute telecast. The Academy letter stated that the addition of the new casting Oscar required them to focus their musical energy.

“The live performance focus will be concentrated on two musical moments this year,” the letter stated. This shift means that several high-profile contenders will not have the opportunity to showcase their work live on the global stage.

The songs missing out on a live slot include the title track from 'Train Dreams' and 'Sweet Dreams of Joy' from 'Viva Verdi!'. Even the 17-time nominee Diane Warren will see her song 'Dear Me' from the documentary 'Diane Warren: Relentless' bypassed for a live performance. This move marks a significant departure from the traditional practice of featuring all five nominated tracks during the ceremony, as mentioned in the letter and obtained by Variety.

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Producers are balancing a packed schedule that now includes 24 competitive categories for the first time.

According to the same letter obtained by Variety, the decision to limit live numbers stems from the fact that five full performances would add 25 minutes to the upcoming 2026 show. With the debut of the Achievement in Casting Award, producers felt that cutting musical time was necessary to maintain the flow. They insist that every nominee is being treated with the same level of care as other major award categories. These runtime constraints will be removed once Oscars transiton to off braodcast TV and YouTube in early 2029.

Rather than a live performance, each nominated song will be introduced through a custom-produced film segment. These packages will use footage from the movies to ground each track in its specific cinematic story. For certain films, viewers may also see behind-the-scenes clips that offer a rare look at the creative songwriting process.

This new format is designed to provide a deeper understanding of how the music serves the film's narrative. The Academy hopes these video segments will provide a meaningful tribute without extending the runtime of the live broadcast. While the live energy may be missed, the focus remains on celebrating the art of film through these tailored presentations.

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