The End of Oscar Night on Network TV and the Rise of the 2026 Animation Arms Race (Ep. 340)

Welcome back to Fine Tooning with Jim Hill and Drew Taylor, who is officially back behind the mic after a very eventful hiatus. Before diving into a mountain of animation news, the guys catch up on where Drew has been, why Burbank’s Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center has more Disney history than you might expect, and why this might be one of the biggest transition moments the entertainment industry has seen in decades. NEWS • The Academy Awards announce a major media shift, with the Oscars leaving broadcast television for YouTube beginning in 2029 • Awards season logistics break down, including nomination voting dates, announcement timing, and the March ceremony • Box office check-in on Avatar: Fire and Ash crossing the billion-dollar mark worldwide • Zootopia 2 becomes the highest-grossing film ever released by Walt Disney Animation Studios • A huge year for global animation, with Ne Zha 2, anime theatrical releases, and Netflix hits reshaping the marketplace FEATURE • A comprehensive look at the major animated theatrical releases scheduled for 2026 • Pixar, Illumination, Disney, DreamWorks, Sony, Laika, and more line up an unusually crowded slate • Why films like Toy Story 5, Hoppers, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and Coyote vs. Acme carry especially high expectations • What shifting release strategies and streaming decisions may signal for animation’s future HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic, where you can score real savings on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets, sometimes up to 12 percent off. Unlocked Magic is run by the same trusted team behind the DVC Rental Store and the DVC Resale Market. Planning a Central Florida trip in 2026? Pick your dates, grab your tickets, and go. Learn more at UnlockedMagic.com. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices