Shark Week Returns to Discovery for 30th Anniversary

Discovery Channel is marking the 30th anniversary of Shark Week with more than 19 hours of content and a merchandising program.

Kicking off on Sunday, July 22, Shark Week will run through July 29. In addition to a team of renowned shark experts and scientists, all-star athletes and the “Sharks” from ABC’s Shark Tank, including Ronda Rousey, Aaron Rodgers, Rob Gronkowski, Lindsey Vonn, Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John and Bear Grylls, are joining Shark Week this year.

Highlights for Shark Week 2018 include Shark Tank Meets Shark Week, which sees Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary of ABC’s Shark Tank paired with an oceanic organization to uncover the issues they are facing. Other programming events include Cuba’s Secret Shark Lair, Uncaged: Shark vs Ronda Rousey, Great White Abyss, Monster Tag (working title), Jaws in Paradise, Bear vs Shark featuring Grylls, Air Jaws: The Hunted, Sharkwrecked, Tiger Shark Invasion, Get Out Alive (working title), Son of Jaws (working title) and Great White Mama (working title).

This year, Oceana and Discovery are teaming up to help protect vulnerable hammerhead sharks, which are threatened by a global shark fin trade. The cause is also supported by collaborations with major brands that raise money for Oceana’s campaigns and create content to educate fans about why sharks are necessary to keep oceans healthy.

Additionally, there will be a robust Shark Week retail program launching in conjunction with the programming event. The product lineup will include new apparel, accessories, books, toys, packaged goods and more. Discovery partnered with Swedish Fish candy by Mondelēz International, Build-a-Bear and vineyard vines. The program will also cover categories such as food, toys and tech.

Walmart is on board as a premier Shark Week retailer, while Princess Cruises will be transforming Shark Week into a full season with its first-ever Summer of Shark. There are giant pool inflatables by Bestway, available exclusively at Walmart, exclusive shark-themed play and figure sets by Bright Kingdom, plush shark toys by Dandee and shark novelty toys by Magic Time. Walmart will also have an exclusive 30th anniversary DVD and Blu-ray combo pack featuring top episodes, rarely-seen content and bonus digital episodes from Shark Week.

Leigh Anne Brodsky, the executive VP of Discovery Global Enterprises, said, “Over the last 30 years Shark Week has transformed into a pop culture phenomenon! We are excited to have such incredible partnerships on board to give Shark Week fans the opportunity to see and experience this week of amazing, family-friendly content as we celebrate these fearsome and captivating ocean creatures.”