LOS ANGELES (CNS) — For the first time since 2018, this year's Academy Awards ceremony will have a host.

Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, broke the news Tuesday during the Television Critics Association's press tour, telling reporters, "You heard it here first."

What You Need To Know

  • For the first time since 2018, this year's Academy Awards ceremony will have a host

  • Instead of a host, last year's show opened with a short welcoming monologue by actress/director Regina King

  • This year's 94th Oscars are scheduled for March 27, returning to the show's traditional home at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood

  • Earlier Tuesday, industry veteran Glenn Weiss was named director of the 94th Oscars telecast

"I can confirm that this year's Oscars will have a host," he said. "... Expect more on that in the weeks ahead."

Erwich didn't offer any hints about who might take on the hosting duties.

The Oscars have not had a host since 2018, when Jimmy Kimmel filled the role. Comedian Kevin Hart was slated to host the ceremony in 2019, but he withdrew when some past homophobic Twitter posts and jokes began circulating on social media.

The ceremony went without a host that year, and the show went relatively smoothly. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opted not to have an emcee the following year as well. Last year's Oscar ceremony was somewhat abbreviated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting location to downtown's Union Station. Instead of a host, last year's show opened with a short welcoming monologue by actress/director Regina King.

This year's 94th Oscars are scheduled for March 27, returning to the show's traditional home at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Earlier Tuesday, industry veteran Glenn Weiss was named director of the 94th Oscars telecast, marking the seventh time he will helm the broadcast.

"You need someone with the deep technical knowledge and creative insights of Glenn to create an Oscars show that truly celebrates a global love of film. I'm fortunate to be working with him," show producer Will Packer said in a statement released by the Academy.

Weiss has directed the Oscars six times previously, winning two Emmy Awards for his efforts. He has also directed 20 Tony Awards shows, winning three Emmys. He has also directed telecasts including "The Kennedy Center Honors," "The Primetime Emmy Awards," "BET Awards," "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" and the "Academy of Country Music Awards."