When TV Bites: Shark Week and SharkFest Take Over TV in July

Discovery Communications

Theeeeey’re back! Here’s what we know about this year’s installment of these two favorite shark-themed summer celebrations:

SharkFest — Nat Geo/Nat Geo Wild, beginning Sunday, July 2. SharkFest returns with over 22 hours of original programming and over 50 hours of enhanced content running across Nat Geo the first part of the month, and encoring on Nat Geo Wild the second part, with some programming also airing on other Disney-owned services, including ABC stations and ESPN2, which will both encore some specials, and Disney Channel, which will feature kid-centric shark content July 8-9. Additionally, all programming will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

Along with new specials like Bull Shark Bandits (July 2), Bull Shark vs. Hammerhead (July 3), Sharkano: Hawaii (July 5) and Sharks vs. Dolphins: Bahamas Battleground (July 10), SharkFest will also premiere two new series: the six-episode When Sharks Attack 360 (July 3) and the eight-episode When Sharks Attack … and Why (July 6).

Shark Week — Discovery Channel; beginning Sunday, July 23. Jason Momoa, who returns as Aquaman on the big screen later this year, is master of ceremonies for the 35th year of Discovery’s influential and popular annual programing event celebrating sharks. Over the course of Shark Week, the actor will set up the jaw-dropping events, first-time revelations and groundbreaking scientific findings in this year’s specials.

“As the host of Shark Week, I am beyond excited to take you along on this journey,” Momoa says. “My love of sharks came long before my time as Aquaman — it began several generations before me.”