Shark Week
"Shark n’ awe!"
A Discovery Original
Shark Week is a yearly block of shark focused documentaries that floods screens with informative and dramatic encounters with ocean predators. It began on Discovery Channel in 1987 and grew into a week festival of programs that explore sharks from biology to behavior. Rather than a single... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026
About Shark Week
Shark Week is a yearly block of shark focused documentaries that floods screens with informative and dramatic encounters with ocean predators. It began on Discovery Channel in 1987 and grew into a week festival of programs that explore sharks from biology to behavior. Rather than a single feature, the event curates a lineup of specials tuned for general audiences and science enthusiasts alike. The tone blends science with spectacle, mixing expert commentary with high intensity footage of sharks in action. The aim has always been to educate people while fostering respect for these creatures, countering myths with up to date research. Over the years it has become a global phenomenon, airing in many countries and fueling online buzz.
Produced for the Discovery Channel, Shark Week launched as a recurring event in 1987 and grew into a week festival of programs that explore sharks from biology to behavior. It features live tagging demonstrations, close up specimens, expert panels, and outreach segments.
Awards: Not listed in the provided data, so no major nominations or wins are cited here. The program is presented as an educational outreach that has resonated with audiences and scholars, highlighting its role in science communication rather than competing for traditional awards. No sweeping trophy wins are documented in the available information.
Shark Week has left a recognizable imprint on pop culture with dramatic promos and memorable footage that make summer feel like a crash course in the sea. It popularized shark conservation messages and made science outreach a weekend staple. The event is a global TV fixture, sparking discussion, memes, and a lasting link between summer and ocean science.
Reception & Themes: The show has been praised for turning complex marine science into accessible storytelling without losing accuracy. Viewers repeatedly note its balance of wonder and education, encouraging curiosity about the sea and respect for predators. The main themes center on debunking myths, highlighting ecological roles of sharks, and inspiring public support for conservation through engaging, mass audience programming.
Details
- Release Date
- July 17, 1988
- Episode Length
- 42m
- Rating
- TV-14
- User Ratings
- 17 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 38
- Episodes
- 439
- Network
- Discovery
- Status
- Returning Series
- Genres
- Documentary
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Discovery
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Seasons (38 seasons, 439 episodes)
1988
4 episodes - 1988
1989
3 episodes
1990
2 episodes
1991
3 episodes
1992
6 episodes - 1992
1993
5 episodes
1994
9 episodes - 1994
1995
4 episodes
1996
5 episodes - 1996
1997
7 episodes - 1997
1998
6 episodes - 1998
1999
5 episodes
2000
6 episodes - 2000
2001
5 episodes - 2001
2002
4 episodes - 2002
2003
7 episodes - 2003
2004
8 episodes - 2004
2005
4 episodes - 2005
2006
7 episodes - 2006
2007
8 episodes - 2007
2008
6 episodes - 2008
2009
14 episodes - 2009
2010
7 episodes - 2010
2011
8 episodes - 2011
2012
10 episodes - 2012
2013
11 episodes - 2013
2014
14 episodes - 2014
2015
16 episodes - 2015
2016
17 episodes - 2016
2017
19 episodes - 2017
2018
26 episodes - 2018
2019
24 episodes
2020
29 episodes - 2020
2021
44 episodes - 2021
2022
24 episodes - 2022
2023
21 episodes - 2023
2024
21 episodes - 2024
2025
20 episodes - 2025
