WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SHARKFEST sighted: watch at your own risk! To mark the first day of summer, Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD announce the return of SHARKFEST – truly the only fish in the programming sea – as the yearly event prepares to take the biggest bite out of summer television yet with not one, not two, BUT THREE teeming weeks of shark programming on both Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD. (We know some other network has one week of sharks, but really – don’t they deserve more?)
The seventh annual SHARKFEST launches its first week on Nat Geo beginning Sunday, July 14, while Nat Geo WILD takes the tail end two weeks from July 21 to August 2. The frenzy of SHARKFEST programming is sure to captivate viewers with truth that is stranger than fiction, from the latest developments in shark research and preservation to new ways to predict shark attacks.
And in the biggest hour of shark programming to hit the airwaves this summer, World’s Biggest Great White? documents the re-emergence of what is thought to be the largest great white shark ever filmed – and she has not been captured on camera in nearly five years! This special puts so much motion in the ocean that it has to be simulcast across two networks!
Nicknamed “Deep Blue” for her arrival and rapid departure, this great white shark, estimated to be 20 feet long and almost two and half tons, is thought to be the largest great white ever caught on camera. Her mysterious nature and massive size have captivated the planet, but she has gone unseen for over five years... until now. Deep Blue has resurfaced, along with two other giant great white sharks, shocking the world with her potential age (which impressively surpasses the average lifespan) and girth, leading some to speculate that she might even be pregnant!
Other SHARKFEST highlights include a fascinating experiment to determine if the weather can help predict shark attacks in Forecast: Shark Attack and the ultimate Red Wedding-style battle for dominance in Cannibal Sharks. Enjoy a front-row seat to some of the most memorable shark feasts in Great Shark Chow Down, and in Man vs. Shark, join marine biologist Jeremiah Sullivan, who has been developing an armored suit to go nose to nose and fin to fin to help preserve these awe-inspiring animals.
“Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD are diving in head first with this year’s feeding frenzy of shark content,” said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president of global unscripted entertainment at National Geographic. “SHARKFEST continues to blow its competition out of the water, growing every year with jaw-dropping, science-first shows that are so unique and compelling that viewers will be totally enthralled, night after night after…night – and this year we’re thrilled to announce our exclusive access to the greatest, most buzzworthy shark superstar in history, Deep Blue.”
Click here for a clip from World’s Biggest Great White?.
SHARKFEST also aims to raise awareness about these incredible animals that depend on a healthy planet in order to survive. As part of its overall effort to protect Earth, National Geographic recently launched Planet or Plastic?, a multiyear initiative to reduce the amount of single-use plastic reaching our world’s oceans. Doing so not only will benefit the thousands to potentially millions of marine animals that become entangled in, are suffocated by or ingest plastic each year, but will also contribute to the overall health of the planet’s marine ecosystems and all who rely on them. As part of SHARKFEST, PSAs will run across both networks throughout the three weeks, encouraging viewers to not only learn more about the plastic pollution crisis, but take their own plastic-free pledge. Additionally, a snackable new digital series called “Story of Plastic” will tell the stories behind common plastic objects and emerging solutions, featuring videos and bi-weekly articles on toothbrushes, shoes, tampon applicators and more. To learn more about the Planet or Plastic? initiative, visit NatGeo.com/planetorplastic.
Covering sharks and ocean health has long been a core part of National Geographic’s DNA. On screen – with this year’s unprecedented SHARKFEST event – and off – through recent books like SHARK, by marine wildlife photographer Brian Skerry, and Nat Geo Kids’ Ultimate Book of Sharks – National Geographic is constantly seeking new ways to grab audiences’ attention and immerse them in the fascinating world of sharks.
SEVENTH ANNUAL SHARKFEST PROGRAMMING PREMIERES INCLUDE:
When Sharks Attack
Sunday, July 14 at 9/8c (plus additional episodes July 15 – July 19 in two hour premiere blocks beginning at 8/7c)
From America’s coastline to exotic beaches around the world, shark attacks turn dream vacations into nightmares. Many of these attacks occur suddenly, affect more than one person, and they can happen in unexpected locations – puzzling locals and scientists alike. When Sharks Attack investigates each incident to shed light on why and where shark encounters occur.
Cannibal Sharks
Sunday, July 14 at 10/9c
The world’s leading shark scientists lead an investigation in to the fascinating world of Cannibal Sharks. From the two-foot Cookie Cutter that rips chunks out of White Sharks ten times their size, to the Sand Tiger pups that attack and eat each other in the womb, prepare to see sharks as you’ve never seen them before.
Great Shark Chow Down
Monday, July 15 at 10/9c
The world’s leading scientists and cinematographers relive 5 extraordinary shark feeding events. From being surrounded at night by 700 grey reef sharks, a 300-strong gathering of blacktip, dusky and bronze sharks feeding on thousands of bait fish, to the spectacular sight of more than 200 blue sharks feeding on the carcass of a seven ton whale; the Great Shark Chow Down is an epic celebration of sharks from around the world. It ends with a cautionary reminder that these spectacular feasts may soon be a thing of the past as shark numbers crash worldwide.
Whale that Ate Jaws: Eye Witness Report
Tuesday, July 16 at 10/9c
In October 1997, tourists in San Francisco caught a killer whale attack on a great white shark on tape. Twenty years later, they strike again in South Africa, but this time scientists have bodies to dissect as experts weigh-in to reveal astounding new discoveries behind the killer whale’s taste for shark meat. Shark biologist and scientist Scot Anderson, who was present at the event in 1997, is among the leading authorities interviewed about this extraordinary behavior.
Man vs. Shark
Wednesday, July 17 at 10/9c
40 years after inventing armored suits that protect divers from attacks by smaller shark species of sharks, marine biologist, Jeremiah Sullivan, faces off against hungry hammerheads and deadly tiger sharks to measure their bite force, body strength and ability to chew through his advanced materials before creating new armor he’ll test by putting himself inside the devastating jaws of a 14-foot tiger shark.
Forecast: Shark Attack
Thursday, July 18 at 10/9c
Dr. Greg Skomal and meteorologist Joe Merchant have travelled to the Bahamas to test a theory: that shark attacks can be as predictable as the weather. They believe that wind may drive sharks closer to the shore to hunt, which brings the sharks closer to the swimmers.
Shark Movers: Deadly Cargo
Friday, July 19 at 10/9c
In the busy harbor of Noumea, a tropical paradise is under threat from an influx of huge, hand-fed Bull Sharks. New Caledonian scientist, Dr. Laurent Vigliola, recruits Australian shark scientist, Dr Will Robbins, to test a world-first plan. Together they catch, crane-lift, and relocate several Bull Sharks to a pristine coral reef in hopes they will adapt to their new home away from people, and learn to feed in the wild.
World’s Biggest Great White? simulcast on Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD
Sunday, July 21 at 8/7c
In January of 2019, three experienced divers and photographers set out on a small boat to try to record any marine life around the carcass of a sperm whale floating off the coast of Oahu. What they experienced is one of the most incredible great white shark encounters ever caught on camera, featuring the two largest great whites ever filmed in Hawaii, including the most famous living shark in the world, the giant great white known as Deep Blue. In this special, viewers will experience this trio's incredible connection with the great whites first hand, as it happened, and learn the history and science behind the rare sightings of great white sharks in the waters surrounding our 50th state.
PLUS the fin-tastic adventures continue July 22-August 2, with more premieres and special encores on Nat Geo WILD.
About National Geographic Partners LLC:
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between the National Geographic Society and Disney, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
