Something sinister lurks just below the surface. Its arrival is shrouded in mystery but anticipated by millions. For decades, people have scanned the seas in search of signs and portents, hoping to gain foresight into when this fearsome phenomenon will strike again.
Some claim to have unlocked its secrets and foretell its coming based on ancient rituals. Others watch the calendar with dread, knowing their carefree summer days are numbered once it emerges from the deep. Every year, we ask again with uncertainty and excitement—when will it return? What date should be marked to prepare for its imminent arrival?
In this article, we dive deep to unravel the mystery around when Shark Week begins each year. Join us as we explore the clues, signs, and behind-the-scenes planning that sets the stage for the inevitable return of Shark Week.
When Is Shark Week? Everything to know
For one week every summer, sharks take over the Discovery Channel. This special programming event is known as Shark Week – a time when viewers can immerse themselves in documentaries and specials all about these captivating apex predators. But when exactly does Shark Week begin each year?
Shark Week always airs sometime in mid to late July or early August. The exact Shark Week start date changes slightly each year but generally falls within a five-week range. Shark Week started on July 17th, 2022, and will commence on July 23rd in 2023.
The timing of Shark Week is strategically scheduled to coincide with when sharks are most active and at the forefront of people’s minds. Late July through early August is peak summer when beach season is in full swing. With more people flocking to the ocean during these hot summer months, shark attacks and sightings also tend to increase.
Additionally, kids are out of school during this time, making Shark Week ideal for family viewing. Children are often captivated by sharks’ power and stealth, and Shark Week offers kid-friendly shows like Alien Sharks: Greatest Hits that explore sharks’ evolutionary marvels. Programming exciting specials when children are on summer break helps build Shark Week loyalty from an early age.
Shark Week originally aired in July 1988, inspired by a highly-rated documentary called Caged in Fear that featured extensive great white shark footage. Discovery executives realized that summer was the optimal time to air shark-focused content and established Shark Week as an annual event. 1988’s inaugural Shark Week was hosted by the legendary underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, lending credibility to the novel programming.
Over 30 years later, Shark Week has become a beloved ritual for generations of viewers. Its mid-summer timing is synonymous with shark mania sweeping popular culture. Shark Week’s start date is now a marquee event that kicks off-peak summer and dominates social media discussions.
Planning for the next Shark Week begins almost a year in advance. In January, Discovery starts developing themes, securing on-air talent, and coordinating with production partners. Specials and documentaries that will air during Shark Week are filmed between January and May.
The Shark Week creative team works closely with marine biologists and shark experts to develop captivating, scientifically-accurate content. Computer-generated imagery is increasingly used to dramatize shark behaviors that are difficult to safely film live. Planning Shark Week is a massive undertaking, but Discovery has perfected the formula over 30+ years.
Shark Week 2022 aired for a record 45 hours, showing Discovery’s commitment to making it bigger each year. The programs spanned everything from shark conservation issues to a debate over whether the megalodon shark is still alive. 2022’s lineup included specials like Return to Headstone Hell, which revisited a South Pacific island with a large great white population.
Social media helps drive anticipation for Shark Week to a fever pitch in the days leading up to the premiere. Discovery uses hashtag campaigns and partners with influencers to promote programming. Instagram and TikTok are flooded with shark-related content as Shark Week mania takes hold.
Shark Week 2023 will air from July 23rd through the 29th on Discovery and Discovery Plus. Some early highlights teased for 2023 include documentaries on shark myths, shark hunting techniques, and potentially new, undescribed shark species. Shark Week 2023 promises to be the biggest and most shark-filled week yet!
The annual return of Shark Week has become a pop culture institution and a quintessential part of summer. As soon as Discovery announces the official start date each year, fans begin their countdowns. Shark Week brings together families, friends, and total strangers in communal awe of the oceans’ apex predators.
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So when does Shark Week start? While the exact date changes annually, viewers can expect shark madness to take over their screens sometime in late July or early August. One thing is certain – when Shark Week finally arrives each summer, it’s sure to make a huge splash!
