A tiger shark comes in to bite one of Jeremiah Sullivan’s test devices.
National Geographic/Devon Massyn
To mark the first day of summer, National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD announce the return of "SharkFest" as the yearly event prepares to take the biggest bite out of summer television yet with not one, not two, but three teeming weeks of shark programming on both Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD.
The seventh annual "SharkFest" on Nat Geo returns Sunday, July 14, with a full week of fin-tastic programming. Viewers can then sink their teeth into two weeks of "SharkFest" on Nat Geo WILD, which begins Sunday, July 21.
The frenzy of "SharkFest" programming is sure to captivate viewers with truth that is stranger than fiction, from the latest developments in shark research and preservation to new ways to predict shark attacks.
And in the biggest hour of shark programming to hit the airwaves this summer, "World’s Biggest Great White?" documents the re-emergence of what is thought to be the largest great white shark ever filmed – and she has not been captured on camera in nearly five years! This special puts so much motion in the ocean that it has to be simulcast across two networks!
Nicknamed “Deep Blue” for her arrival and rapid departure, this great white shark, estimated to be 20 feet long and almost two and half tons, is thought to be the largest great white ever caught on camera. Her mysterious nature and massive size have captivated the planet, but she has gone unseen for over five years… until now. Deep Blue has resurfaced, along with two other giant great white sharks, shocking the world with her potential age and girth, leading some to speculate that she might even be pregnant!
Nat Geo and Nat Geo WILD are diving in head first with this year’s feeding frenzy of shark content. ‘SharkFest’ continues to blow its competition out of the water, growing every year with jaw-dropping, science-first shows that are so unique and compelling that viewers will be totally enthralled, night after night after night – and this year we’re thrilled to announce our exclusive access to the greatest, most buzzworthy shark superstar in history, Deep Blue.
Geoff Daniels, Executive Vice President of Global Unscripted Entertainment at National Geographic
Other "SharkFest" highlights include a fascinating experiment to determine if the weather can help predict shark attacks, and the ultimate Red Wedding-style battle for dominance. Enjoy a front-row seat to some of the most memorable shark feasts, and join marine biologist Jeremiah Sullivan, who has been developing an armored suit to go nose to nose and fin to fin to help preserve these awe-inspiring animals.
"SharkFest" also 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 reaching 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.