Kevin Hart to host Oscars 2019 

Comedian Kevin Hart will host the 2019 Academy Awards ceremony in February. 

The Ride Along actor shared the news through an Instagram post on Tuesday. "I will be sure to make this year's Oscars a special one," said the comedian, adding: "Now it's time to rise to the occasion."

The star is emceeing the event for the first time and will take over the hosting responsibilities from late-night talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the awards show in 2017 and 2018.

Passing on the baton, Kimmel tweeted: 

First-time producers Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss will oversee the show, with Gigliotti serving as producer and Weiss on hand as co-producer and director.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had held talks with the comedian about hosting the February ceremony. 

"I appreciate The Academy for the opportunity," wrote Hart in his post. 

The last two Oscar shows were hosted by Kimmel and produced by Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd. But each year ratings declined, with a record-low 26.5 million viewers tuning in for last March's broadcast, which adds to the pressure the new team will face.

Oscars 2019 will be held on February 24.