It’s almost summertime, and that means one of TV’s must-see annual programming events is almost here as Discovery Channel makes way for Shark Week 2024.
There will be hours of new programming all about thrilling encounters with apex predators, epic deep-sea expeditions, and more extraordinary stories for the event. Below, we’re breaking down all the need-to-know details about the upcoming slate.
Who is hosting Shark Week 2024?
John Cena, best known for his wrestling and headlining Max’s hit original anti-hero series, Peacemaker, will host this year’s big Shark Week event. Last year, Shark Week celebrated its 35th anniversary and was hosted by Aquaman star Jason Momoa, who is now passing the reins to Cena.
“I usually do Shark Week from my couch – with lots of snacks, but this year I’m beyond excited to host the week dedicated to the endlessly fascinating, action heroes of the Ocean,” said Cena in a statement. “It’s a wild week of shocking new footage, new discoveries, and lots and lots of teeth.”
When is Shark Week 2024 airing?
Shark Week 2024 will kick off on Sunday, July 7, at 8/7c, and begin a week-long lineup of original specials, episodes, and more on Discovery Channel. The celebration starts a little earlier than last year’s week of programming which kicked off weeks later on July 23, 2023.
Discovery Channel
Where Can You Watch Shark Week 2024?
In addition to Discovery Channel, Warner Bros. Discovery’s linear and streaming portfolio—including Food Network, HGTV, ID, TBS, TNT, TCM, TLC, CNN and Max—will air Shark Week-inspired content or cross-promote the event. Shark Week will also be available to stream on Max.
What is the Shark Week 2024 programming lineup?
The week-long celebration of sharks includes the next chapter of the hit show Belly of the Beast, offering a terrifying and fascinating real look at a Great White shark feeding frenzy; Monster Hammerheads: Species X, following a potential new hammerhead species; and Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood, investigating a massive shark who decapitates its victim and terrorizes a local village.
Check out the full slate, with programming information, below.
Sunday, July 7
Belly of the Beast: Bigger and Bloodier
Premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
One of last year’s most popular Shark Week shows returns. Marine biologist Dr. Austin Gallagher, marine scientist Liv Dixon, and legendary cameraman Kina Scollay travel to a new location and head back into the belly of a 29-foot whale decoy with new shark attractant features to create the biggest feeding frenzy ever with 18-foot ‘Breeder’ sharks in New Zealand.
Jaws vs Leviathan
Premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Orcas and other toothed whales are attacking Great Whites in record numbers, marking the latest chapter in a 60-million-year battle between Sharks and Whales. This rivalry began with The Leviathan, a prehistoric whale that once went tooth to tooth with the greatest predator to ever swim the oceans…The Meg. Now, Dr. Tristan Guttridge, Dr. Sona Kim, and Kina Scollay recreate these epic battles and study orca tactics to discover the ultimate predator.
Makozilla
Premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
A wave of savage assaults against the sea lion population off California’s coast has sparked fears of a monstrous predator dubbed “Mako-Zilla.” Recent discoveries, including a 600-pound mauled sea lion with massive gashes, hint that a 16-foot-long predator could be responsible. A team of shark experts, including bite specialist Jeff Harris and Dr. Craig O’Connell, embark on a mission to unveil the identity of the colossal predator haunting the coast.
Sydney Harbor Shark Invasion
Premieres at 11PM ET/PT on Discovery
Returning to the site of his own 2009 shark attack for the first time, Paul de Gelder joins Madison Stewart to investigate a recent Great White Shark attack that occurred near Sydney Harbor, Australia – the first fatal incident in the region in almost 60 years. The dramatic encounter, which was captured on camera, was the sixth attack to occur in as many weeks. Within this aquatic arena, Great Whites contend with Bull Sharks, Tiger Sharks, and even humans in a colossal battle for supremacy. The unfolding saga raises the compelling question of who will emerge victorious in this intense struggle for dominance.
Monday, July 8
Big Shark Energy
Premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
Shark experts Dr. Riley Elliott and Kori Burkhardt put on a one-of-a-kind shark competition to determine which male Great White Shark is the alpha in a pack of massive adults. In the waters off New Zealand, they compare the sharks speed, hunting ability, and fearlessness to determine who has the swagger to swim away with a female shark.
Shark Frenzy: Mating Games
Premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Dr. Craig O’Connell explores the love lives of Oceanic White Tips & Tiger Sharks, suggesting that feeding frenzies spark romance vital for species survival. Armed with advanced gear, he orchestrates feeding events to uncover the mating link, which is crucial for species protection.
Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood
Premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
After two fatal Great White shark attacks occurred off a small Mexican fishing village – including one in which a victim was decapitated – shark attack survivor Paul De Gelder joins shark investigator Brandon McMillan and local biologist Gador Mutaner to launch a plan to ID the killers and keep the villagers in the Sea of Cortez safe.
RelatedWhat’s New for SharkFest 2024? Get Schedule
Tuesday, July 9
Deadliest Bite
Premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
Using cutting edge technology, Dr. Tristan Guttridge, Annie Guttridge, Paul De Gelder and Skye Minnis unveil the secrets of Bull, Tiger, Hammerhead, Great White, and rare shark species’ jaw mechanics and delve deep into how these sharks’ jaws and teeth deliver lethal attacks.
6000lb. Shark
Premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Marine Biologists Tom “The Blowfish” Hird and Leigh de Necker go searching for the fattest Great White Sharks off the coast of New Zealand and attempt to obtain their poop to study what they are eating. Using cutting-edge science, they aim to weigh a great white accurately for the first time, revealing if they can reach a staggering 6,000 pounds.
Monster Hammerheads: Species X
Premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
Dr. Austin Gallagher and his team of researchers including Liv Dixon, Zandi Ndhlovu, and Dr. Tristan Guttridge, investigate an aggressive population of Hammerhead Sharks in Turks and Caicos, which they believe could be an entirely new species.
Wednesday, July 10
Great White North
Premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
There’s a growing population of aggressive White Sharks in an unlikely location, Canada. Shark expert Andy Casagrande heads out on an expedition along Nova Scotia’s coast to investigate a surge of Great White Shark encounters and figure out if this new population could be the largest in the world.
Expedition Unknown: Shark Wrecks of WWII
Premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Global adventurer Josh Gates and shark biologist Tristan Guttridge team up with nature’s deadliest predator to search for a lost wreck sunk by a Nazi U-Boat during World War II.
Alien Sharks: Ghosts of Japan
Premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
Japan’s waters are home to the largest diversity of shark species on the planet, most of which take otherworldly forms. Wildlife biologist Forrest Galante, along with deep-sea marine scientist Christina de Silva and deep-water surveyors, track down and study these alien sharks in their mission to uncover whether the critically endangered Angel Shark remains in Japan’s waters. Along the way, Forrest will uncover 17 different and unique species and witness the births of little-known Velvet Dogfish sharks.
Thursday, July 11
Monster of Oz
Premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
In southwestern Australia, an unknown predator with a taste for Great White and Mako Sharks ignites fears of sea monsters in the abyss. Filmmakers Dave and Jennene Riggs join Dr. Tristan Guttridge and Rosie Moore in attempt to track down the killer.
Caught! When Sharks Attack
Premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Researchers are witnessing an unusual amount of shark aggression and attacks. A team of experts will analyze the most intense shark encounters Caught! on camera, unveiling mysterious new behaviors within these dangerous interactions.
Great White Danger Zone
Premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
Alison Towner and her team investigate a new Great White hotspot off the coast of South Africa. Equipped with cutting-edge fin cameras, tracking tags, and underwater surveillance, researchers unveil unusual behavior in these massive apex predators.
FRIDAY, JULY 12
The Real Sharkano
Premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
Shark advocate and attack survivor Paul De Gelder visits an ultra-remote island of shark-worshiping natives to see if their secret ways of swimming with deadly sharks holds the secret to humans and sharks living together in peace.
Sharks of the Dead Zone
Premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Significant marine pollution and algal bloom outbreaks are creating eerie dead zones in North America’s most biodiverse estuary. Dr. Tiara Moore, along with Dr. Craig O’Connell, explores whether Bull Sharks can persist in the Indian River Lagoon, a vital nursery, despite the oxygen-depleted waters. Her mission could unlock the secrets to shark survival in changing oceans.
Shark Attack Island
Premieres at 10PM ET/PT on Discovery
A South Pacific paradise has become a shark attack hot spot with Bull, Tiger, and Great White sharks moving closer and closer to the resort beaches, fatally attacking seven people in the last five years. Dr. Riley Elliot, Paul De Gelder, and Kori Burkhardt conduct experiments to identify the species responsible and find out why they are attacking.
Saturday, July 13
Sharktopia
Premieres at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery
In Indonesia’s Raja Ampat Islands, a team of researchers hunt for one of the region’s last living leopard sharks. But as they venture deeper into the unknown, the journey brings them face to face with some of the weirdest and wildest sharks on earth.
Mothersharker: Hammer Time
Premieres at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery
Using the latest underwater ultrasound and birthing tag technology, researchers Dr. James Sulikowski and Beckah Campbell aim to solve the mystery of where the elusive pregnant scalloped hammerheads give birth – and it may be closer than anyone realizes.
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