National Geographic is gonna need a bigger boat. Nat Geo is expanding “SharkFest” to three weeks, TheWrap has learned exclusively, with the first week taking over the main National Geographic Channel and the next two occupying Nat Geo Wild.
Suddenly, rival Discovery’s “Shark Week” is looking a bit more like a minnow, no?
The seventh annual “SharkFest” will launch on Nat Geo on Sunday, July 14. Nat Geo Wild’s shark-centric programming doesn’t end until Aug. 2. TheWrap’s got slate highlights lower down — and your first look at the shark-on-shark crime in “Cannibal Sharks” via the video above.
Additionally, on July 21, “World’s Biggest Great White?” documents the re-emergence of what is thought to be the largest great white shark ever filmed — and a girl that has not been captured on camera in nearly five years. That one will be simulcast over both of the cable channels.
Nicknamed “Deep Blue” for her arrival and rapid departure, this great white shark, estimated to be 20 feet long and almost two-and-a-half tons, is thought to be the largest great white ever caught on camera, per Nat Geo. 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, the special’s description continued.
Another cool one is Nat Geo’s experiment to determine if the weather can help predict shark attacks in “Forecast: Shark Attack.”
“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 buzz-worthy shark superstar in history, Deep Blue.”
Details on Nat Geo’s “SharkFest” programming is below. Nat Geo Wild will follow with some of its own originals and a few key reruns.
“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 into 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
Forty 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 traveled 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?”
Sunday, July 21 at 8/7c (simulcast on Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD)
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.