Your Ultimate Guide to Shark Week 2025: Dates, Must-See Shows & How to Watch!

I. Introduction: Dive into Shark Week’s 37th Year!

Shark Week 2025

The annual return of Shark Week 2025 stands as a significant cultural event, consistently marking summer’s most anticipated television programming. In Shark Week 2025, this historic tradition celebrates its 37th year, promising a fresh array of shows filled with both thrills and profound insights into the ocean’s most remarkable apex predators. The event is poised to captivate audiences with its blend of entertainment and education, maintaining its long-standing appeal.

For its 2025 iteration, Discovery appears to be adopting a more focused and perhaps more intense approach. Unlike recent years that featured prominent celebrity hosts such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jason Momoa, the current strategy suggests a deliberate shift towards a “leaner” presentation, with an emphasis returning directly to the sharks themselves. This adjustment indicates a strategic re-centering of the event’s brand identity. By moving away from celebrity-driven narratives, the programming can concentrate more intently on the biology, behavior, and ecological significance of sharks. This decision is observed to reinforce Shark Week’s foundational mission, which, since its inception in 1988, has been to foster understanding and appreciation for these creatures rather than to perpetuate fear. The aim is to enhance the credibility and scientific integrity of the event, potentially attracting a more dedicated, science-curious audience while still delivering an engaging experience. This strategic calibration reinforces the event’s core values, aiming for a deeper, more authentic connection with its subject matter and its viewers.

The fundamental purpose of Shark Week, as explicitly stated, is to “dispel the myths surrounding sharks and promote the important role they play in marine ecosystems”. While past programming may not have always perfectly aligned with this mantra, current efforts by Discovery are observed to effectively showcase sharks to the world while simultaneously elevating the entertainment value. The overarching objective remains to encourage a more positive perception of sharks and to advance conservation initiatives globally.   

II. When is Shark Week 2025? Mark Your Calendars!

Enthusiasts should mark their calendars: Shark Week 2025 officially commences on Sunday, July 20th, and concludes on Saturday, July 26th. This week-long celebration marks the 37th historic year of the event. While some preliminary information may have indicated alternative dates, the definitive and widely corroborated schedule from official sources confirms the July 20-26 timeframe.   

For the majority of the week, from Sunday, July 20, through Friday, July 25, new Shark Week content will be broadcast during prime time, from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel. For viewers who may miss the initial broadcast, encore presentations of the evening’s new shows are typically scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM ET/PT. This consistent daily programming block is a deliberate strategy to foster audience engagement and habit formation. By maintaining a fixed, predictable prime-time slot for new content each evening, Discovery strategically encourages viewers to integrate Shark Week into their nightly routines. This approach minimizes the effort required for viewers to locate new programming, thereby promoting consistent viewership and building momentum throughout the week. The distribution of approximately 20 hours of new programming across the week is carefully managed to sustain viewer interest and maximize audience retention, which in turn supports advertising revenue and enhances the event’s overall visibility and impact.   

As Shark Week draws to a close on Saturday, July 26, new shows will be presented from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET/PT, offering a final concentrated period of shark-focused programming before the event concludes.   

III. How to Watch Shark Week 2025: Your Comprehensive Viewing Guide

Whether viewers prefer traditional cable television or modern cord-cutting solutions, numerous avenues are available to access the compelling content of Shark Week 2025.

A. Traditional Cable TV

For a significant portion of the audience, the most straightforward method to watch Shark Week 2025 involves tuning into the Discovery Channel through their existing traditional cable television service. Discovery Channel maintains its position as the exclusive live broadcast home for Shark Week within the U.S., ensuring its broad availability to most cable subscribers.   

B. Live TV Streaming Services (Cord-Cutting Options)

For individuals who have transitioned away from traditional cable, several popular live TV streaming platforms offer the Discovery Channel as part of their subscription packages. These services provide a convenient means to watch Shark Week live without the need for a conventional cable subscription.

• Sling TV: This platform serves as a viable option for cord-cutters, as the Discovery Channel is included within Sling TV’s Blue package, which is priced at $45 per month. Furthermore, new subscribers are frequently offered promotional discounts, such as a half-price rate for their initial month of service.   
• Hulu + Live TV: Representing another robust choice for live television streaming, Hulu + Live TV incorporates the Discovery Channel into its extensive lineup, delivering a comprehensive entertainment offering.   
• DirecTV Stream: This service also provides access to the Discovery Channel, furnishing a wide array of live television options for those seeking to stream their preferred programs.   
• YouTube TV: Completing the selection of major live TV streaming providers, YouTube TV includes the Discovery Channel, establishing itself as a versatile platform for live Shark Week viewing.   

C. On-Demand Streaming

For maximum viewing flexibility, Shark Week 2025 content can be accessed on-demand following its live broadcast.

• HBO Max: This platform functions as the primary streaming destination for Discovery content, a direct outcome of the Warner Media-Discovery merger in 2022. All Shark Week 2025 shows will be available for streaming on HBO Max (priced at $9.99 per month) at any time after their initial air date, facilitating convenient binge-watching.   
• Discovery+: While HBO Max serves as the central hub, it is anticipated that Discovery+ will also feature the complete Shark Week 2025 programming lineup at a subsequent date. This expectation is based on the availability of 2024 Shark Week content on the Discovery+ platform.   

The extensive multi-platform availability of Shark Week 2025 content across traditional cable, various live TV streaming services, and on-demand platforms represents a sophisticated strategy to maximize audience reach in a fragmented media landscape. This approach, significantly bolstered by the Warner Media-Discovery merger, leverages the broader ecosystem of Warner Bros. Discovery. Content is made accessible to diverse consumer segments, encompassing traditional cable subscribers, cord-cutters who opt for live streaming bundles, and those who primarily utilize on-demand services like HBO Max. This comprehensive distribution minimizes barriers to viewership, ensuring that a tentpole event like Shark Week can capture the largest possible audience regardless of their preferred media consumption method. This highlights the strategic advantages of media consolidation, fostering cross-platform synergy and optimizing content monetization.

D. Watching Outside the US: Your VPN Solution

For international viewers, it is important to note that Shark Week 2025 is primarily broadcast live within the U.S. Should individuals find themselves abroad during the event and encounter geo-restrictions preventing access to their usual U.S.-based streaming services, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers a viable solution. A VPN facilitates connection to a server located within the U.S., effectively routing the viewer’s internet connection through that server. This enables access to all U.S.-based streaming content, regardless of the viewer’s physical location worldwide.   

IV. Must-See Shows & Highlights: Get Ready for the Thrills!

Shark Week 2025 is set to deliver a compelling assortment of programming, encompassing cutting-edge research, thrilling encounters, and innovative concepts. The following represent the standout shows recommended for viewing:

A. The Premiere Event: “Dancing with Sharks”

The inaugural event for Shark Week 2025 is the new special, “Dancing with Sharks,” scheduled to premiere on Sunday, July 20th, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on Discovery. This highly anticipated program is hosted by Emmy® Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron, renowned for his work on “Dancing With the Stars.” The show introduces an “unprecedented underwater dance competition” featuring expert divers who have been trained by a world-class underwater choreographer. These divers will compete to demonstrate their skills through elaborate underwater dances performed alongside their shark partners. The program is expected to showcase daring maneuvers and innovative routines, such as the “Hammerhead Hoedown” and “Tiger Trot,” thereby redefining the concept of dancing with danger.This special promises a unique combination of skill, grace, and thrilling interaction.   

B. Top New Specials & Returning Favorites

The 2025 lineup includes a strategic blend of sensational entertainment and scientific inquiry. While titles like “Dancing with Sharks,” “Jaws vs. Mega Croc,” and “Great White Sex Battle” are designed to capture widespread attention, they are increasingly paired with content that offers genuine scientific exploration and insights into shark behavior. This approach reflects an evolution from past programming that sometimes leaned into speculative or fabricated narratives. The current strategy aims to leverage compelling titles as a powerful hook, drawing in a broad audience who are then exposed to more scientifically grounded and informative content. This allows Discovery to achieve both high viewership and contribute to public understanding and appreciation of sharks.

• “Great White Sex Battle”: A first for Shark Week, this intriguing special will air on Monday, July 21st, at 8:00 PM ET/PT. It features male and female great white sharks engaging in a series of challenges off the coast of New Zealand to determine which sex demonstrates superior predatory capabilities.   
• “Jaws vs. Mega Croc”: Immediately following “Great White Sex Battle,” this program, airing on Monday, July 21st, at 9:00 PM ET/PT, presents a compelling CGI confrontation. It depicts a “fight to the death between two of the biggest and baddest apex predators in the water — the great white shark and Nile crocodile”. This program is also scheduled for multiple re-airings throughout the week, including Tuesday at 1:00 AM and 7:00 PM; Friday at 11:00 PM; and Saturday at 3:00 AM and 7:00 PM.   
• “Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus”: For viewers interested in research and animal tracking, this show, airing on Sunday, July 20th, at 9:00 PM ET/PT, documents researchers’ efforts to locate “Colossus,” a great white shark of exceptional size and unique abilities.   
• “Great White Assassins”: This special delves into the complex and often brutal dynamics of marine predation, examining how certain killer whale populations effectively hunt and kill great white sharks.   
• “In the Eye of the Storm: Shark Storm”: This program investigates instances of shark attacks that occurred along the Gulf Coast in 2024, exploring the environmental factors and broader implications associated with these events.   
• “Battle of Shark Mountain”: As Shark Week approaches its conclusion, this program, airing on Saturday, July 26th (as part of the 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM block), offers a real-life depiction of an extraordinary animal gathering off the coast of Mozambique, where thousands of sharks congregate to feed on large fish.   
• “Black Mako of the Abyss”: A new special for 2025, this program explores the mysteries surrounding this deep-sea creature. Initial airings include Tuesday, July 22nd, at 10:00 PM ET/PT, and Wednesday, July 23rd, at 2:00 AM and 1:00 PM ET/PT.   
• “Frankenshark”: Another new offering for 2025, this special premieres on Thursday, July 24th, at 10:00 PM ET/PT, with additional broadcasts on Friday, July 25th, at 2:00 AM and 10:00 AM ET/PT.   
• “Florida’s Death Beach”: This new 2025 special is scheduled to air on Friday, July 25th, at 9:00 PM ET/PT, with further showings on Saturday, July 26th, at 1:00 AM and 9:00 AM ET/PT.   

Other notable shows from the full schedule include “Jaws vs. Leviathan,” “The Real Sharknado,” “Monster Hammerheads: Species X,” “Jaws vs Kraken,” “Jaws vs. the Meg,” “Bear Vs Shark,” “Sharks in Paradise,” “Monster Under the Bridge,” “Guy Fieri’s Feeding Frenzy,” “Deadliest Bite,” “Expedition unknown: Megalodon,” “Expedition unknown: Sharks vs. Nazis in Paradise,” “Sharkadelic Summer,” “Shaq Does Shark Week,” “Monsters of the Bermuda Triangle,” “Rise of the Monster Hammerheads,” “Sharkadelic Summer 2,” and “Monster Hammerheads: Killer Instinct”.   

To assist viewers in planning their Shark Week experience, a summary of the must-see new shows and their initial air times is provided below. This table offers a structured, scannable, and concise way to present this critical information, allowing viewers to quickly identify anticipated programs, their initial air dates, times, and a brief description, thereby simplifying the planning of their viewing schedule.

Shark Week 2025: Must-See New Shows & Initial Air Times

Show Title	Initial Air Date	Initial Air Time (ET/PT)	Brief Description
Dancing with Sharks	Sunday, July 20	8:00 PM	Underwater dance competition featuring expert divers and sharks, hosted by Tom Bergeron.
Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus	Sunday, July 20	9:00 PM	Researchers track a massive great white shark known as “Colossus”.
Great White Sex Battle	Monday, July 21	8:00 PM	Male vs. female great white sharks compete for predator supremacy in New Zealand waters.
Jaws vs. Mega Croc	Monday, July 21	9:00 PM	A CGI confrontation between a great white shark and a Nile crocodile.
Black Mako of the Abyss	Tuesday, July 22	10:00 PM	A new 2025 special exploring the mysteries of the black mako.
Frankenshark	Thursday, July 24	10:00 PM	A new 2025 special.
Florida’s Death Beach	Friday, July 25	9:00 PM	A new 2025 special exploring shark attacks along the Gulf Coast.
Battle of Shark Mountain	Saturday, July 26	8:00 PM (part of 8-10pm block)	A real-life animal gathering off Mozambique where thousands of sharks feast.

V. Beyond the Broadcast: Shark Week’s Deeper Purpose

Beyond the captivating visuals and thrilling programs, Shark Week conveys a profound and essential message: to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for these magnificent creatures, and to underscore the urgent imperative for their conservation.

Revisiting the Mission: Understanding and Conservation

As previously highlighted, the fundamental objective of Shark Week is to “dispel the myths surrounding sharks and promote the important role they play in marine ecosystems”. This mission has become increasingly critical, given that 31% of all shark species are currently categorized as threatened with extinction, a percentage projected to rise significantly in the coming years. Sharks have an ancient lineage, having existed on Earth for over 400 million years—predating dinosaurs by approximately 200 million years—yet they now confront unprecedented dangers stemming from global warming, unsustainable fishing practices, and pollution. For instance, 25% of shark and ray species inhabiting coastal continental shelves, including all reef sharks, are known to be endangered, with the conservation status of an additional 35% still undetermined. The programming endeavors to transform public perception, shifting away from irrational fear towards an acknowledgment of sharks as ancient, majestic, and indispensable components of healthy marine environments. Research initiatives, such as those conducted by the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Movement Ecology Lab, directly contribute to this understanding by tracking shark movements and feeding behaviors to inform “more informed conservation and management decisions”.   

Expanding the Narrative: Shark Week: The Podcast

Discovery’s commitment to fostering a deeper understanding extends beyond traditional television broadcasts. “Shark Week: The Podcast” offers an auditory exploration into various scientific topics pertaining to sharks. Episodes delve into compelling questions such as “How Smart Are Sharks?”, recount survival narratives like “Shipwrecked & Surrounded by Sharks,” and address critical environmental issues including “Undiscovered Sharks and the State of the Ocean” and “How Many Sharks Are Yet to Be Discovered?”. These podcasts provide a platform for more in-depth, nuanced discussions that complement the visual spectacle presented in the television programs. This multi-faceted media approach, which integrates podcasts and actively promotes viewer involvement in conservation efforts, indicates a holistic media and advocacy strategy aimed at achieving environmental impact. By offering complementary media that allows for more detailed scientific discussions, Discovery caters to audiences seeking deeper knowledge that may not be fully accommodated within the fast-paced television format.   

How You Can Get Involved

Shark Week is not merely a viewing event; it is also an invitation to action. Viewers are encouraged to participate in conservation efforts. This can encompass organizing fundraising events within local communities, signing the “Big Shark Pledge” to advocate for enhanced protection against excessive fishing practices, disseminating awareness through social media platforms, or simply educating oneself and one’s family about the vital ecological role sharks fulfill in the world’s oceans. Every action, regardless of its scale, contributes to the ongoing survival of these ancient predators.   

VI. Stream Seamlessly: Device Compatibility for All Platforms

A significant advantage of contemporary media consumption is the flexibility to access content across a wide array of personal devices. Shark Week 2025 adheres to this principle, with its primary streaming platforms offering extensive device compatibility to ensure uninterrupted viewing. This widespread device support is not merely a convenience; it represents a critical strategic imperative within the highly competitive streaming market. By ensuring compatibility across a vast range of hardware, streaming services effectively eliminate technical barriers to entry, thereby maximizing their potential subscriber base and ensuring that high-profile content, such as Shark Week, can reach the broadest possible audience. This directly contributes to increased viewership, enhanced subscriber retention, and ultimately, greater revenue. It also underscores the prevailing consumer expectation for seamless multi-device access as a fundamental feature of any streaming service.

To provide a comprehensive overview for viewers, the following table details the device compatibility for the main streaming platforms offering Shark Week 2025 content. This structured format allows users to quickly identify their preferred streaming service and determine which types of devices, including specific versions or models where applicable, are supported, thereby facilitating a seamless Shark Week experience.

Shark Week 2025: Streaming Platform Device Compatibility

Platform	Smartphones & Tablets	Computers (Web Browsers)	Streaming Devices	Smart TVs	Gaming Consoles	Other Devices/Platforms
HBO Max	Most modern iOS & Android devices	Most modern web browsers	Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV/Google TV	Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony, etc.	Xbox, PlayStation	–
Discovery+	Most smartphones & tablets	Most desktop browsers	Amazon Fire TV (devices & Smart TVs), Apple (iPads, iPhones, iPod touches, Apple TVs), Google (Android phones/tablets, Android OS devices, Chromecast w/ Google TV, Google Chromecast, Chromecast built-in), Microsoft (Xbox One & Series S/X), Roku	Samsung (2017+), VIZIO (2017+), LG (2018+)	Xbox One & Series S/X	–
Sling TV	iOS & Android phones/tablets	Personal computers	Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Google TV	LG, Samsung, Vizio	Xbox One	Cox, AirTV Player/Mini Player, Windows devices, TiVo, TiVo Stream, Xfinity
DirecTV Stream	Android (v9+), Fire Tablets (Fire OS 9+), Apple (iPads, iPhones, iPod Touch v14+)	Chrome (v68+), Edge (v114+), Safari (v13+)	Amazon (Fire TVs w/ Fire OS 5+), Apple (Apple TV v12+, Vision Pro), DIRECTV (Gemini & Gemini Air), Google (Chromecast on OS 1.56.275994+), Roku (v9.4+)	Google/Android TV (v9+), Roku TV (v9.4+), Samsung (v3.0+)	–	Peloton (Bike, Bike+, Row, Tread, Tread+)
YouTube TV	Android L+, iOS 15+	tv.youtube.com/(Chrome/Firefox recommended)	Select Amazon Fire TV, Roku players & TVs, Apple TV & 4K, Vizio SmartCast, Android TV	Samsung & LG, HiSense	Xbox One	Google Chromecast, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay for Apple TV, Google Smart Displays

VII. Conclusion: Get Ready for a Fin-tastic Week!

As Shark Week 2025 rapidly approaches, the anticipation for its 37th annual broadcast is evident. This year’s lineup is poised to deliver a compelling blend of excitement and educational content, ranging from the innovative “Dancing with Sharks” premiere to the thrilling “Jaws vs. Mega Croc” and the scientifically insightful “Air Jaws: The Hunt for Colossus.” The strategic decision to pivot away from celebrity hosts and re-center the programming on the creatures themselves underscores a commitment to the event’s core mission of fostering understanding and conservation.

The comprehensive array of viewing options, spanning traditional cable, various live streaming services, and on-demand platforms such as HBO Max, combined with extensive device compatibility, ensures that accessing all the action has been made remarkably convenient. This multi-platform distribution strategy, particularly enhanced by recent corporate mergers, is designed to maximize audience reach across diverse consumer preferences.

Therefore, individuals are encouraged to mark their calendars for July 20th to July 26th, prepare their preferred viewing device, and immerse themselves in the captivating world of sharks. This year, more than ever, Shark Week extends an invitation not merely to be entertained, but to genuinely celebrate and deepen one’s understanding of these magnificent creatures. Viewers can tune into Discovery Channel starting July 20th at 8:00 PM ET/PT, and further details regarding the full schedule can be found at sharkweek.com. The stage is set for a truly fin-tastic week of discovery.   

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