If you can’t get enough of everything shark-related, we’ve got great news for you because your binge-watching list is about to get longer. Both tentpoles keep expanding their footprints: Discovery Channel’s long-standing Shark Week and National Geographic’s multi-platform SharkFest now anchor midsummer with wall-to-wall shark programming across cable and streaming, each vying to be the nation’s most respected shark documenter.
To loop you in on all the Shark Week vs. SharkFest frenzy, SharkFest has evolved from a short run into a multi-week event spanning ABC, National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD, with full libraries on Disney+ and Hulu, while Shark Week remains a concentrated week on Discovery with streaming on Max. The result is weeks of shark stories on both linear TV and streaming.
Shark Week: decades of fin-tastic reputation
Discovery’s Shark Week has grown into one of cable’s strongest annual franchises, routinely drawing millions in the U.S. Recent seasons hit multi-year highs: trade coverage noted the 2023 premiere night drew about 5.3 million viewers across Discovery platforms and topped cable in key demos that night, and WBD’s official post-event highlights report Shark Week 2024 delivered the best ratings in three years with Discovery ranking No. 1 in cable primetime across key demos for the week.
Shark Week was initially produced to create awareness around shark protection efforts and correct the common misconceptions surrounding these mysterious creatures. In recent years, scientists have continued to criticize sensational, fear-based framing and limited expert diversity—concerns formalized by a peer-reviewed analysis in 2022—even as Discovery emphasizes real science, conservation, and researcher partnerships. “It’s disappointing that you have so much potential with a really interesting subject and that potential is lost because they focus on sensational aspects,” stated shark expert Dr. Stephen Kaijura.
Criticism aside, Shark Week has become the longest-running programming event in cable TV history.
Recent lineups have paired big-name hosts with researcher-led specials—John Cena hosted in 2024 and Jason Momoa fronted the prior season—as Discovery/Max promoted cutting-edge science and conservation alongside high-adrenaline titles. Earlier stunt programming like “Tyson vs. Jaws: Rumble on the Reef.” Tyson stated, “I took on this challenge to overcome fears I still deal with in life’.
Where to stream:
Shark Week airs on Discovery Channel and streams on Max. If you don’t have cable, you can watch live via services that carry Discovery Channel (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, Philo). Fubo does not carry Discovery Channel. If you prefer TV Everywhere, you can stream through DiscoveryGo. All you have to do is sign-in through its website or the DiscoverGo app with your TV provider.
You can also find recent Shark Week collections through Google Play Movies & TV, Prime Video and iTunes. If you are subscribed to Hulu, you may also find past seasons available on-demand.
Shark Fest: multi-week, all things sharks
What once began as a week-long program showcasing the mesmerizing natural habitat of sharks on Nat Geo WILD has become a multi-week, multi-network event across ABC, National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD—with full SharkFest libraries streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Recent SharkFest launches have included simulcasts on ABC and National Geographic that posted competitive time-period wins, with nightly premieres and a growing library of original content. Expect scientific research, fun facts and impressive underwater footage of these apex predators throughout the run, while Disney highlights strong engagement on the SharkFest hubs within Disney+ and Hulu.
During SharkFest, National Geographic will highlight its Pristine Seas Project, which reports helping to create or expand more than two dozen large marine protected areas safeguarding over 6 million square kilometers of ocean to date. Recent milestones cited by partners include the no-take MPA around Tristan da Cunha and innovative long-term financing for Niue’s EEZ-scale protections—part of broader efforts aligned with protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Where to stream
This year, National Geographic will broadcast Sharkfest through the National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild channels, and you will also be able to stream via their SharkFest website with full collections available on Disney+ and Hulu.
If you can’t get enough of this year’s SharkFest, you can view previous seasons on Amazon Prime, Google Play and Apple TV, with collections also streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Shark rivals with a common goal
Even though Shark Week and SharkFest are in a rivalry to be the nation’s best shark show with the most ratings, they share a common goal — shark conservation and debunking myths and common misconceptions. Both events now blend linear and streaming releases and say they aim to educate the public with science-based stories while showcasing sharks in their natural habitats.
Both shows want to address the common fear surrounding shark attacks by teaching us why sharks behave the way they do and how we can stay safe while navigating the deep waters. Being conscious of the importance of protecting sharks also means understanding that non-lethal coastal safety tools (like drones and acoustic monitoring) are increasingly used in place of culling, and that sharks are an integral part of marine ecosystems—helping safeguard all marine wildlife when they are protected.
Whether it’s fascination or utter fear, we can all agree that people are captivated by sharks.
If you are serious about streaming, you might want to read these articles about internet providers:
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- Check out our guide to understand what internet speed you need for a smooth binge-watching.
