Kicking off July 2, Sharkfest returns with 72 hours of programming across National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN2. The event promises science-first shark content that features cutting-edge technology and industry-leading experts.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor more than a decade, National Geographic\u2019s Sharkfest has provided a robust slate of programming that is both science-first and entertaining,\u201d said Janet Han Vissering, senior VP of program development and production at Nat Geo WILD. \u201cThe sharks and scientists are our stars, and this year is no different. We\u2019re excited to give viewers 72 hours of new programming across multiple networks and platforms. This year\u2019s programming really takes a look at the incredible, cutting-edge technology used by our shark experts to uncover never-before-seen shark behavior. We\u2019re also excited to welcome back many of our MISS (Minorities in Shark Sciences) experts, including Candace Fields, and introduce new faces to the screen, such as Davon Strickland, the captain of the FIU football team and also part of the next generation of marine biologists joining Dr. Mike Heithaus\u2019 lab as a Ph.D. candidate; and A-bel Gong, a behavioral ecologist studying sharks and co-host of the podcast\u00a0LGBTQ+ STEM<\/em>, which highlights LGBTQ+ voices in the sciences. At National Geographic, we are committed to bringing in new and diverse talent and giving them a platform to share their experiences and work.\u201d<\/p>\n The lineup includes over 22 hours of original programming and more than 50 hours of enhanced content. Disney+ and Hulu will stream every Sharkfest premiere as they roll out over the course of the month-long programming event. ABC Owned Television Stations will feature content across key linear and streaming platforms throughout July. The Nat Geo TV App and ABC App will celebrate the summer event with a Sharkfest collection page, along with a FAST pop-up channel that features episodes from previous years of Sharkfest. Disney Channel will have kid-centric shark content from July 8 to 9. Disney XD will feature ten hours of shark-themed content from July 3 to 7. Disney Junior will air shark-themed programming with preschool-friendly messaging from July 3 to 9. DisneyNOW will have shark-themed content on its homepage all month long through August. Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Nat Geo Kids\u2019 YouTube channels will all have new shark-themed shorts beginning July 3.<\/p>\n National Geographic\u2019s Sharkfest hub, natgeo.com\/sharkfest, will be updated throughout the summer to include enhanced content about sharks, including facts, photos and videos, quizzes and more, providing audiences with a better understanding of the ocean\u2019s most misunderstood predator. The National Geographic Kids YouTube channel will feature a Sharkfest playlist, in addition to shark-related content featured on the Kids website throughout the month of July.<\/p>\n \u201cSharks have had a challenging reputation in the past, in large part because of how they have been portrayed in pop culture,\u201d says Han Vissering. \u201cThey are key to the balance and health of our oceans. Sharkfest gets down to the facts and gives viewers a full understanding of sharks\u2014what makes them tick, how they strive to survive and cohabitate among their oceanic peers and the beauty of them. And our diverse group of experts uncovers fascinating research that truly highlights the jaw-dropping science behind these incredibly misunderstood creatures. For the past 11 years, the latest discoveries about sharks have fascinated and surprised our viewers, and this year\u2019s Sharkfest will be no different.\u201d<\/p>\n Highlights include\u00a0Bull Shark Bandits<\/em>, in which shark biologists Dr. Johan Gustafson and Dr. Mariel Familiar L\u00f3pez investigate rising reports of bull sharks stealing from fishermen in Weipa, northern Australia;\u00a0Shark Eat Shark<\/em>, which sees Enrico Gennari and Lacey Williams lead a team of experts into the deep to capture conclusive evidence of sharks eating sharks;\u00a0Saved from a Shark<\/em>, about encounters where dolphins or whales have deliberately saved a person from a shark attack; and the six-episode series\u00a0When Sharks Attack 360<\/em>, following as an international team of experts hunts for clues as they investigate why sharks bite humans.<\/p>\n Further highlights include\u00a0Return of the White Shark<\/em>,\u00a0Bull Shark Vs. Hammerhead<\/em>,\u00a0Shark Below Zero<\/em>,\u00a0Sharkano: Hawaii<\/em>,\u00a0Sharks Vs. Dolphins: Bahamas Battleground<\/em>\u00a0and the eight-episode series\u00a0When Sharks Attack\u2026 And Why<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope viewers gain a better understanding of sharks and feel inspired to protect our oceans and all that make it their home,\u201d says Han Vissering. \u201cWe also hope to encourage a new generation of shark enthusiasts and future scientists.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Janet Han Vissering, senior VP of program development and production at Nat Geo WILD, shares details of this year\u2019s Sharkfest, which kicks off on July 2 across various platforms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":350,"featured_media":19818,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[68,69],"tags":[4324,7758,267,7757,2109,254,1009,3010],"class_list":["post-19817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","","category-profiles","category-top-stories","tag-disney","tag-espn2","tag-hulu","tag-janet-han-vissering","tag-nat-geo-mundo","tag-nat-geo-wild","tag-national-geographic","tag-sharkfest","pmpro-has-access"],"yoast_head":"\n