The 2026 Oscars broadcast on ITV1 sparked a wave of disappointment from viewers, largely focused on host Jonathan Ross. For the third consecutive year, Ross led the channel’s live coverage, accompanied by a panel offering predictions and recapping the winners – a formula that clearly failed to resonate with audiences this time around.
Criticism quickly flooded social media, with many expressing frustration over what they perceived as a clumsy handling of the event. A recurring complaint centered on Ross’s repeated mispronunciation of actors’ names, drawing sharp reactions from British film fans.
“If Jonathan Ross could learn how to pronounce everyone’s names that would be wonderful,” one viewer wrote on X, echoing a sentiment shared by many. Others joked about starting a drinking game based on the frequency of the mispronunciations, highlighting the widespread annoyance.
Beyond the names, the panel itself came under fire. Some viewers felt the commentators lacked sufficient knowledge of the nominees, suggesting they had only focused on a limited selection of films. This perceived lack of preparation added to the overall sense of dissatisfaction.
The win for Amy Madigan in the Best Supporting Actress category for *Weapons* seemed to particularly baffle the ITV panel, with one commentator apparently surprised by the result. This misstep fueled further criticism of Ross and his team’s understanding of the awards landscape.
Adding to the broadcast’s woes, technical difficulties plagued the early minutes of the show. Viewers reported jarring audio glitches, struggling to understand the opening monologue delivered by Oscars host Conan O’Brien. While the sound issues were eventually resolved, the initial disruption left a sour taste.
Despite the negative reaction to the coverage, the Oscars themselves delivered several notable wins. Sean Penn took home the award for Best Supporting Actor for *One Battle After Another*, while *One Battle After Another* also secured wins for Best Casting and Adapted Screenplay. *Sinners* claimed the Original Screenplay award.
Visually stunning films were also recognized, with *Frankenstein* winning awards for Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup and Hair. *Avatar: Fire and Ash* was honored for its Visual Effects, showcasing the continued power of cinematic spectacle.
While British nominees were absent from the acting categories for the fifth year running, there was hope for recognition in the supporting actress category with Wunmi Mosaku’s nomination for *Sinners*. Ultimately, the award went to Madigan, capping off a night of both celebration and disappointment.
The broadcast’s struggles prompted some viewers to actively request more commercial breaks, hoping to avoid Ross’s commentary. Others simply asked for a direct feed of the ceremony, bypassing the ITV1 presentation altogether. The overwhelming sentiment was clear: viewers wanted the awards, not the analysis.
