On National Shark Awareness Day, there is no better time to pay tribute to two cable TV networks that honor and educate audiences about sharks and their important roles in Earth's marine ecosystems. Every summer, Warner Bros. Discovery and National Geographic bring new and exciting shark-themed programming to immerse viewers into the world of sharks while raising awareness about these majestic creatures, and this year is no different. 🦈
Warner Bros. Discovery: Shark Week
Shark Week has been around for 35 years and fans keep coming back for more. The beloved cultural phenomenon returns this summer on July 23 and runs through July 29. The event will feature programs that explore the behavior and habitats of various shark species and more, including:
- A venture into the treacherous waters of New Zealand to provide groundbreaking evidence that female white sharks dominate the ocean ("Great White Fight Club")
- A search for a 14-foot giant mako shark in the waters of Portugal's Azores region ("Dawn of the Monster Mako")
- A quest to solve the mystery of what’s behind three recent deadly shark attacks off the beaches of Egypt’s Red Sea ("Serial Killer: Red Sea Feeding Frenzy")
- A close-up of a great white shark feast ("Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy")
- An exploratory program of illegal drugs dumped in South Florida waters on sharks ("Cocaine Sharks")
Underwater Production and Technology 🎥
The network uses innovative underwater technology to track and study unique shark species and for insights into mating and migration patterns. Together with underwater cinematographers, marine biologists, shark experts and shark attack investigators, Warner Bros. Discovery always comes through with showcasing rare footage as researchers take viewers along to remote locations to dispel shark myths and to uncover the real lives of these creatures.
National Geographic: SharkFest
National Geographic’s 11th annual SharkFest kicked off on July 2. This year, the network is offering more than 22 hours of original programming and over 50 hours of enhanced content over four weeks. The network's shark extravaganza will feature the following and much more:
- 15 different shark species
- Investigative reporting of bull sharks stealing from fishermen in northern Australia (“Bull Shark Bandits”)
- Stories of individuals saved from shark attacks by dolphins or whales (“Saved From a Shark”)
- A series that unravels mysteries behind shark attacks using cutting-edge VFX shark lab technology (“When Sharks Attack 360”)
- A free dive with tiger sharks in Hawaii to better understand their attraction to Hawaii's volcanoes (“Sharkano: Hawaii”)
Swimming With Expertise 🌊
SharkFest also boasts a lineup of knowledgeable experts, including representatives from Minorities in Shark Sciences, an organization dedicated to diversity and inclusion in the field. Among them are marine biologists, ecologists, dolphin and whale biologists, and DNA researchers, who bring their extensive knowledge, experience, and passion to the event.
Thanks to Warner Bros. Discovery and National Geographic, every July viewers look forward to learning about and fostering a deeper appreciation for these sea creatures.