WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--We’re gonna need a bigger boat. Nat Geo WILD’s SharkFest is back this summer with more teeth than ever! Get out of the water and into your living rooms because Nat Geo WILD’s sixth annual SharkFest gives viewers a whole extra week of fin-tastic good shark TV. We’ve got the latest insights from the top shark researchers, a comprehensive look at the many shark species in all their glory and two weeks of our top shark shows.
Nat Geo WILD’s supersized sixth annual SharkFest, brought to you by Lexus, premieres Sunday, July 15 (yes, one week before that other week of shark TV).
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“What’s better than one week of shark TV? TWO WEEKS OF SHARKFEST,” said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager of Nat Geo WILD. “We are literally jumping the shark this year by serving a supersized feeding frenzy of jaw-some shark specials, and by taking the first bite, we’re giving Nat Geo WILD viewers a bonus week of the shark shows they love. Why wait, when we need to inspire everyone to save our sharks now, more than ever? With so much SharkFest, we’re gonna need a bigger network!”
This year’s SharkFest is the No. 1 destination for factual shark shows, with groundbreaking new behaviors caught on camera in new special 700 Sharks, expert insights on why the world’s most massive shark species congregate in one region called “shark central” off the coast of South Africa in Big Sharks Rule, a breakdown of why sharks are the apex oceanic predator in Shark v. Tuna and scientific analyses of shark attacks and why they occasionally mistake humans for prey in When Sharks Attack.
SIXTH ANNUAL SHARKFEST PROGRAMMING PREMIERES INCLUDE:
When Sharks Attack: Mayhem in Mexico
Premieres Sunday,
July 15, at 8/7c
Cancun is an ideal getaway, renowned for its
beautiful beaches, fascinating culture and scenic landscapes. Usually a
pristine location, the waters of Cancun suddenly becomes a hotspot for
shark attacks between 2011 and 2013, with six attacks along its shores.
Locals who have never seen an attack are baffled and hotels start to
wonder what is putting their guests at risk. A community where shark
attacks have never happened wonders, what could be the cause? Scientists
put their heads together to figure out the cause behind the surge in
attacks.
Shark vs. Tuna
Premieres Sunday, July 15, at 9/8c
Witness
a clash of oceanic titans in the remote crystal-blue battlefields of
Ascension Island. Yellowfin tuna and mako and tiger sharks are all apex
predators, but to these sharks, yellowfin tuna are the ultimate prize.
The tuna are often faster, fitter and bigger than the sharks, reaching
well over 250 pounds. Any shark hunting these beasts needs brute
strength and a little bit of luck to capture one. But when a third
player enters the game, the scales tip. Who will win?
The Whale That Ate Jaws: New Evidence (working title)
Premieres
Sunday, July 15, at 10/9c
The Whale That Ate Jaws
examined an extraordinary incident that occurred at the Farallon
Islands, 27 miles off San Francisco, in October 1997. A boatload of
tourists witnessed the ultimate clash of the titans and caught it on
tape. Two killer whales attacked and drowned a great white shark and
ripped out its liver. The incident raised a lot of questions and left
biologists mystified. Since then, there have been other attacks, some
caught on camera. Now, we explore these new events and the fascinating
science behind the killer whale's taste for shark meat and share some
shocking revelations in The Whale That Ate Jaws: New Evidence. Experts
weigh in to reveal astounding new discoveries in shark and whale
behaviors.
Big Sharks Rule
Premieres Monday, July 16, at 9/8c
It’s
an ocean of giants. South Africa has a dramatic, rocky coast that’s
raked by churning currents. Warm, cold, rich and murky water collide to
create “shark central”, with enough food to sustain the biggest. Giant
sharks like great whites, tiger sharks, bull sharks, ragged tooth
sharks, and whale sharks all reign supreme in these waters.
700 Sharks
Premieres Tuesday, July 17, at 9/8c
Imagine
diving into the ocean only to discover that you’re surrounded by one of
the largest shark frenzies on the planet. Well, that’s exactly what
these researchers did in the name of science. In Polynesia, the largest
school of sharks — about 700 — patrols the waters en masse. Follow an
international team of scientists as they study these magnificent
creatures at night, when they are most aggressive, to discover their
mysterious hunting strategies and social behaviors. The result:
incredible new behaviors never seen before, or caught on camera.
Shark Kill Zone (working title)
Premieres
Wednesday, July 18, at 9/8c
Sharks may be at the top of the
ocean food chain, but catching a meal isn’t always straightforward or
easy. So how have these denizens of the deep ruled the oceans for so
long? Design and adaptation. They must adapt to survive, which on
occasion means bringing the feast closer to shore. Discover the
surprisingly diverse ways sharks hunt and the solutions they’ve found to
catching prey. Some wait in ambush, others slowly stalk their prey and
still others chase at high speed. Whatever the technique, all sharks are
exquisitely designed for their specialized roles as ocean predators.
Scientists weigh in on the evolutionary ways in which sharks have
fine-tuned their hunting skills and behaviors and reveal some incredible
observations.
When Sharks Attack: The San Francisco Slayer
Premieres
Sunday, July 22, at 8/7c
Just north of San Francisco lies a
rugged coastline renowned for its picturesque cliffs and sandy beaches.
But in 2004, this wilderness-lovers’ dream became a nightmare when the
area was stunned by four separate shark attacks over the course of six
months. A team of investigators takes a closer look at what could be the
cause of these mysterious and terrifying attacks and reveal the science
behind what is driving them towards the crowded waters.
When Sharks Attack: Anatomy of a Shark Attack
Premieres
Sunday, July 22, at 9/8c
Without a doubt, sharks are the most
notorious and feared predators in the ocean. In recent years, the number
of shark attacks around the world has risen, and understanding how these
predators think and behave is more important than ever. Experts break
down stories from shark attack survivors, and the science behind shark
behaviors and attack methods, to reveal how to handle an attack.
Nat Geo WILD’s supersized SharkFest also includes special encores of SharkFest’s past hit specials, which will continue to air in primetime through Friday, July 27.
Additionally, National Geographic Kids has released The Ultimate Book of Sharks by Brian Skerry, on sale now for $19.99. Dive into the wild world of sharks! Get up close to learn the truth behind these fantastic, ferocious fish with famed National Geographic photographer and explorer Brian Skerry. Join this amazing underwater adventure to track the sharks of the world, from the teeniest dogfish to the ever-feared great white. This ultimate book features every species of shark on the planet, with awesome photos, fascinating facts, the latest science and firsthand stories of real-life encounters with these incredible creatures. Learn how sharks live, how they eat, the challenges they face and whether or not you are actually on the menu!
Nat Geo WILD’s SharkFest 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 polluting 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. To learn more about the Planet or Plastic? Initiative, visit NatGeo.com/planetorplastic.
About National Geographic Partners LLC:
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between National Geographic and 21st Century Fox, 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 130 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.