The Story of Shark Week

Discovery Channel’s annual programming began on Sunday and runs throughout this week until July 13. This year marks the 36th anniversary of Shark Week; is the The longest-running cable TV programming event in history. The event is very popular – the 30 Rock The character Tracy Jordan, played by Tracy Morgan, also said in one episode: “Live every week like it’s Shark Week.” Here’s everything you need to know about the beloved week-long event.

What is Shark Week?

Every year, the Discovery Channel hosts a week-long event during the summer dedicated to shark-themed programming. The content was initially dedicated to conservation efforts and addressing misconceptions about sharks. But some experts criticized the event, saying it focused on the sensationalism of shark attacks rather than on science and conservation, as reported by NBC News.

There are 21 programs featured in this year’s Shark Week, including Monster Hammerheads: Species X, which airs Tuesdays at 10 pm EST and is about a potential new species of hammerhead shark. You can find the holiday week complete calendar on the Discovery Channel website.

When did Shark Week start?

Shark Week began on July 17, 1988, when Caged in fear on air Discovery Channel. The show was about testing a new motorized cage designed to withstand shark attacks. Nine other shows were inaugurated that year. Ratings during Shark’s first week nearly doubled Discovery Channel’s primetime average, according to the net.

Due to the great public reception at the first Week of Shark, the Discovery Channel brought the event the following year, and soon it became an annual event of the summer.

Read more: Are shark attacks on the rise? Here’s what the data says

Who hosted Shark Week?

Shark Week was hosted for the first time in 1994, by the author of MalesPeter Benchley, according to Discovery Channel. That year also marked the 20th anniversary of Benchley’s best-selling shark novel that inspired the cult classic movie.

Since then, many notable celebrities and conservationists have hosted the event, including Dwayne Johnson, Jason Momoaand Nigel Marven. This year’s event is hosted by Juan Cena.

How popular is Shark Week?

More than 22 million viewers tuned into the event last year through Discovery Channel, Discovery+ and Max, according to the owner. The discovery of Warner Bros. The 2023 event was the highest-rated Shark Week in three years.

Who is watching Shark Week?

Throughout last year’s Shark Week, Discovery ranked as the number one primetime cable network with men and women between the ages of 25 and 54, as well as men and women between the ages of 18 and 49, according to Warner Bros. During the 2023 event, Discovery ranked as the second primetime network in all of television with men between the ages of 25 and 54, as well as men between the ages of 18 and 49.

“Shark Week is once again the most anticipated programming event of the summer,” Howard Lee, president of Discovery Networks and TLC, said in a press release last year. “We keep our momentum going every night and attract a great crowd.”

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