Shark Week 2026: Full TV Schedule

Discovery’s annual Shark Week returns on Sunday, July 26, with seven nights of shark-themed programming running through Saturday, Aug. 1.

Now in its 38th year, the event will feature 20 brand-new specials, with premieres airing nightly at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. CT) on Discovery Channel. Viewers can also stream the programming on Max and Discovery+.

Opening Night Lineup

The week begins with K-Pop Shark Heroes at 8 p.m., featuring actor Ken Jeong and Grammy-nominated artist REI AMI as they explore how K-pop can help reshape public perceptions of sharks across East Asia and beyond.

At 9 p.m., House of Sharks premieres, followed by Biggest Mako on Earth at 10 p.m. The special investigates reports of enormous 15- to 20-foot mako sharks reportedly spotted off the Southern California coast.

What Airs During the Week?

Monday’s lineup includes a new special that follows marine biologist Rosie Moore and shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder as they investigate why bull sharks in Jupiter, Florida, confront humans. Later that evening, another documentary examines rival groups of great white sharks gathering off the coast of New Zealand.

On Tuesday, viewers can watch Jurassic Sharks, which combines computer-generated imagery with real-world expeditions to compare prehistoric shark species with their modern descendants.

Other Shark Week Specials

Several additional documentaries are scheduled throughout the week.

Ultimate Shark Dive follows cliff diver Molly Carlson as she attempts a record-setting plunge into shark-inhabited waters.

Another special focuses on the search for ‘Big Rose,’ believed to be one of the largest great white sharks in the North Atlantic. Marine biologist Dr. Neil Hammerschlag joins longtime Shark Week contributor Paul de Gelder on an expedition off Nova Scotia to track the massive predator.

The schedule also includes the return of Air Jaws: Red, White and Breach, where researchers investigate whether legendary breaching great white sharks have appeared in U.S. waters, and Expedition Unknown: Shark Secrets, with Josh Gates exploring the first recorded shark attack and examining whether a famous historical ‘sea monster’ may actually have been a shark.

Where to Watch Shark Week 2026

All Shark Week 2026 premieres will air on Discovery Channel and will also be available to stream on Max and Discovery+.

Sharkfest Is Already Airing

For viewers looking for shark programming before Shark Week begins, National Geographic’s Sharkfest is already underway.

The annual event launched on July 5 across National Geographic’s television networks, with select documentaries also streaming on Disney+ and Hulu, offering an alternative lineup of shark-focused programming ahead of Discovery’s annual event.