Shark Week vs. SharkFest: Which Has the Best Shark Content?

Each year, two television networks have a timeless battle to see which can provide the most quality shark-related content. The fight between Shark Week vs. SharkFest is as old as time, or at least as old as 1988 when Shark Week first aired on Discovery.

Shark Week is celebrating its 35th year of programming this summer, and despite its unwavering success and popularity, it isn’t without a solid and striking rivalry. National Geographic’s SharkFest began airing in 2017, and it provides a whopping six weeks’ worth of shark content to its viewers. Some believe the competition is a fight over quality and quantity, while others simply think that the shark niche is one that is profitable for both networks.

In this article, we’ll evaluate what each of these shark programs truly has to offer its viewership and determine on which network you should be spending your shark watch time. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to take a bite out of both!

Shark Week vs. SharkFest: When Are They Airing?

A good question, to begin with, is when exactly these two shark programs are going to be airing on their respective networks. Naturally, it’s important not to miss all of the shark-related fun!

SharkFest Plans for 2023

SharkFest, which is a month-long spectacle, began on July 2nd. However, it has no plans on slowing down any time soon and even cites “because one week is simply not enough” as its reasoning. Is this a dig at Shark Week? Perhaps. However, it may just be a fun quip separating the two programs.

A distinct advantage that SharkFest has over its competitor is the broad range of services and networks it will be available to stream on. In addition to the National Geographic home channel, it will also be available to stream on Hulu, Disney+, ESPN2, and ABC stations.

Shark Week Plans for 2023

The long-awaited 35th anniversary of Shark Week has not kicked off yet, and it begins on Sunday, July 23rd. A week filled with content regarding the biological importance of these sea creatures, Shark Week is a historic program that doesn’t seem to be dying down any time soon despite its occasional clashes with National Geographic’s content.

Something particularly special about this year’s Shark Week is that it is going to be hosted by none other than Jason Mamoa. This makes sense, seeing as Mamoa lit up our screens as DC’s Aquaman, and there are few better fit to be the master of ceremonies than the gilled superhero himself. During Shark Week, the actor will skillfully introduce astonishing events, unprecedented disclosures, and pathbreaking scientific discoveries in this year’s specials.

A Brief History of Shark Week

Now that we’ve discussed what to expect during this season of Shark Week let’s take a look at the history of this program. The core difference between Shark Week vs. SharkFest is that the former is specially aged and established. Over the years, this special has evolved quite a bit. The core messaging has never changed, though.

The main goal of Shark Week is to educate its viewers about sharks and, more importantly, to dispel any nasty rumors about the species. There is an emphasis in this programming that sharks are to be admired, protected, and respected as opposed to feared.

In recent years, Shark Week has begun to face head-on one of the most troubling dilemmas in the aquatic world, climate change. In 2017, Discovery launched a campaign dedicated to aiding the recovery of habitat loss entitled “Save the Sharks.”

Not only has the week-long event instilled important considerations and values regarding sharks, but it has also become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. As a result of the event, there have been countless opportunities for merchandise sales. In 2018, Discovery reported that the network made a whopping $3 million in Shark Week product sales.

A Shark Week Timeline

1988: Shark Week premieres on the Discovery Channel with 10 episodes, including “Caged in Fear” and “Sharks: Predators or Prey.”
1990s: Shark Week becomes a summer staple, with viewership growing each year.
2000: Shark Week goes 3D with the premiere of “Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives.
2006: Shark Week introduces the “Air Jaws” franchise, which follows great white sharks as they leap out of the water to catch prey.
2010: Shark Week becomes the longest-running cable television programming event in history.
2013: Shark Week reaches a record-breaking 100 million viewers.
2022: Shark Week features a special episode hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Shark Week Fun Facts

Some brief, fun facts about the program include:

• The most-watched episode of Shark Week was titled “Megalodon: The Monster Shark Lives,” airing back in 2010 and seen by over 10 million viewers.
• The host of Shark Week, Josh Gates, has presented the special every year since 2011.
• Shark Week has an impressive awards lineup, with 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and one award for Outstanding Nonfiction Series in 2013.

A Brief History of SharkFest

Much like its counterpart, the National Geographic spin on shark content also features an abundance of educational shark programming. A key difference between Shark Week vs. SharkFest, though, is that the latter has a much more drastic emphasis on shark conservation.

The majority of SharkFest episodes are ones that cover the threats sharks face in their natural habitats, alongside what work is being done to help them recover and thrive.

Its programming is fairly diverse, split up into a range that includes the standard shark attack specials but also delves into content related to shark science and shark culture as well. So, if you’re a viewer who isn’t simply in it for the gore, this might be the better option for you.

A SharkFest Timeline

2017: SharkFest premieres on National Geographic with 10 episodes, including “Great White Serial Killer” and “Sharks of the Amazon.”
2018: SharkFest expands to 15 episodes, with new specials on everything from bull sharks to goblin sharks.
2019: SharkFest goes international, airing on Nat Geo Wild channels in 171 countries.
2020: SharkFest goes virtual with a slate of online programming and events.
2021: SharkFest returns to linear TV with 40 hours of programming.
2022: SharkFest celebrates its fifth anniversary with 72 hours of programming.

SharkFest Fun Facts

Some brief, fun facts about the program include:

• Shark Week and SharkFest actually have the same host, Josh Gates, who has been hosting SharkFest since its conception in 2017.
• The most-watched SharkFest special was entitled “Sharks of the Amazon,” which aired in 2017 and was seen by 4.7 million viewers.
• SharkFest has a pretty broad array of content from various countries. Many episodes are filmed internationally, which makes for a much more diverse look into the shark world.

Shark Week vs. SharkFest: Which to Watch?

Truthfully, there is no way to definitively say that one network’s event is objectively better than the other. In the Shark Week vs. SharkFest question, the true “right answer” is to watch a bit of both and determine for yourself which you prefer to tune into. Since SharkFest has already begun, perhaps you can start there!

The most important thing to remember is that, in the long run, the safety and conservation of the shark population is what matters. By watching either of the two programs, you are furthering your knowledge about the condition of sharks in today’s environment, and that in and of itself is a net positive. So, no matter what shark-related special you sink your teeth into, make sure to enjoy it!

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