Learn more fun facts on the Shark Week Video Page.
- Tags:
- Wildlife
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Via announcement (typically late July or early August)
- Holiday emoji:
- 🦈
Shark Week plunges viewers into the mysterious depths of the ocean every July or August. Running from July 26 to August 1, 2026, this annual Discovery Channel event features a week of thrilling documentaries, educational programs, and captivating stories about sharks. Tune in to learn more about these incredible apex predators, support conservation efforts, and share your favorite shark moments.
Want to sponsor Shark Week? Learn how
Expected Shark Week Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that Shark Week inspires a fin-tastic array of deals. Look for retailers like Walmart and Target to offer discounts on shark-themed merchandise, toys, and apparel. Streaming services such as Discovery+ often feature special bundles or free trials for exclusive content. Brands like Yeti and Costa Del Mar may run promotions on outdoor gear and eyewear, popular with ocean enthusiasts. Fast-food chains like Sonic Drive-In have previously offered themed drinks or snacks. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July approaches.
Platform Guide for Shark Week
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #SharkWeek. Share your favorite shark facts, stunning underwater photography, or even your Shark Week watch party setup.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #SharkWeek. Film short, engaging videos reacting to thrilling shark clips, sharing conservation tips, or creating shark-themed crafts.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #SharkWeek. Join the live conversation during new episodes, share real-time reactions, and tweet out interesting facts about sharks or marine life.
Shark Week Hero
Peter Benchley
History of Shark Week
It’s a popular story among Discovery employees that the idea for Shark Week was originally literally scrawled on a cocktail napkin. In the late 1980s, creator Steve Cheskin and some colleagues were reputedly enjoying a drink and discussing what would be a fun thing to add to the then-young channel’s lineup, and somebody said, “You know what would be awesome? Shark Week!” Another member of the group grabbed a pen and wrote the idea down on the closest scrap of paper: the napkin.
Starting in 1988, the idea proved to be a winner, raking in winning ratings for the channel and rekindling America’s love affair with the ocean predator, the peak till that point was probably the 1975 movie, “Jaws.”
Since that time, Shark Week has gained popularity, adding hosts in 1994 starting with Peter Benchley and eventually household names such as Mike Rowe, Craig Ferguson, and Shaquille O’Neal.
We could go into greater detail, but Shark Week is one of those things you have to experience. Keep your finger on the pulse of cable releases, and don’t miss this year’s celebration!
How Businesses Can Celebrate Shark Week
Local businesses can tap into Shark Week’s popularity with creative promotions. Restaurants and bars might offer shark-themed cocktails or ‘chum bucket’ appetizers. Retailers could create window displays featuring ocean-inspired merchandise or host a ‘Shark Week Sale’ on beachwear. Dive shops and aquariums can promote special events, educational programs, or discounted gear for aspiring marine enthusiasts, encouraging community engagement with these fascinating creatures.
Shark Week FAQs
When is Shark Week?
The dates for Shark Week 2027 are typically announced by Discovery Channel in the months leading up to the event, usually taking place in late July or early August. Keep an eye on official announcements for the exact schedule.
How many people watch Shark Week?
Viewership for Shark Week remains robust, with its broad appeal attracting a diverse demographic eager to learn about marine life. Industry reports suggest that the 2026 event maintained its significant reach, with millions engaging across linear TV and digital channels.
Why is Shark Week so popular?
The event’s success is rooted in its ability to blend scientific discovery with captivating storytelling, making complex marine biology accessible and exciting for a mainstream audience. Its cultural impact has grown significantly, fostering both fear and respect for sharks.
What is the goal of Shark Week?
Originally conceived to dispel myths and raise awareness, Shark Week’s mission has evolved to emphasize shark conservation and research. It serves as a powerful platform to inform the public about marine science and inspire action for ocean health.
Shark Week Activities
Take part…
Watch the shows, of course. As stated above (and we speak from experience), even if you never thought sharks were all that special, you’ll find yourself fascinated by the wealth of information and anecdotal evidence of their amazing ways. with solid facts.
2. Make a donation to save the sharks
They may not be the cutest, most cuddly creatures on earth, but sharks are still an integral part of the world’s ecosystem that is becoming endangered. Many organizations are trying to make a difference, from “Project AWARE” to “Predators in Peril.”
Read up on some strictly factual shark science
According to the website “Sharksider” (and we agree), the top three books to read about sharks are “Blue Meridian” by Peter Matthiessen, “Sharks of the World” by David E. Ebert, et al., and “The Secret Life of Sharks” by Peter Klimley. You can’t go wrong, armed
FIVE AMAZING FACTS ABOUT GREAT WHITES
Picking and choosing
Once a Great White reaches 2.5 meters (just over 8 feet) long, it will only eat sea mammals, making the switch from a diet of mostly small fish.
Sun lovers
Somewhat counterintuitively, the Great White prefers to hunt not at night but in broad daylight, depending upon its eyesight to properly track prey (though the shark does shut its eyes in the moment of the attack).
Not calorie counters
To keep up their body temperature (partially by transferring heat from their moving muscles) and to maintain energy levels, Great Whites predominately seek prey with high-fat content, like seals or whales.
Big babies
After a gestation period of 18 months, a mother Great White will give birth to four to six “pups,” each measuring in length between 1.2 and 1.5 meters (four or five feet)!
Not immune to cancer
Contrary to a popular myth that has persisted for decades and resulted in large amounts of shark-fin soup being consumed “medicinally,” there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that sharks don’t get cancer; they do.
Why We Love Shark Week
The “Jaws” theme music
Perhaps as a boy or a girl you had an older sibling who would come up behind you in the pool or at the lake, singing the ominous tones from “Jaws,” duh-nun, duh-nun, DUH-NUN, before grabbing you like an attacking shark. Hey, what’s childhood without inter-sibling trauma? But now, as an adult, you can joke more appropriately with your office cohorts, we presume.
It’s the original “binge-watching” series of programs
Here’s a thing: in 1988, the year of Discovery’s first Shark Week, MTV still played mostly music videos. You could turn the channel from Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” to frightening footage of an Australian Great White decimating a hapless seal. Hmm, which one to choose?
It’s part of Americana
We love it because it’s an ingrained part of our culture, like Super Bowl commercials or roadside fast-food joints. To enjoy the heck out of Shark Week is to take your place in the American mythos.
Shark Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | July 26–August 1 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2027 | July 25–31 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2028 | July 23–29 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2029 | July 22–28 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2030 | July 28–August 3 | Sunday–Saturday |
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