Shark Week 2019 Dates & Schedule: Does it Start Today?

Shark Week 2019 schedule

Youtube/Discovery Channel

Every summer, Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” is one of the most anticipated TV programs. The 8-day event has developed a cult following of viewers eager to learn more about the oceans’ shark species and scientists’ latest discoveries. If you’ve been looking forward to Shark Week 2019 since Shark Week 2018 ended last summer, here’s what you need to know so that you’re well-prepared for it to return to your television soon.


Shark Week 2019 Begins on July 28, NOT July 13

This year, there has been some confusion regarding when Shark Week actually begins and ends. A Google search of “Shark Week 2019 dates” says that it runs from Sat, Jul 13, 2019 – Fri, Jul 19, 2019. XFinity also reports to its service users that these are the dates for Discovery Channel’s 2019 “Shark Week” schedule. Upon closer inspection, however, those dates are two weeks before Shark Week is actually scheduled to air.

According to Discovery Channel’s website, “Shark Week 2019 will kick off Sunday, July 28, with eight days of shark-centric specials.” The programming runs through August 4 on the Discovery Channel.

The official commercial for Shark Week 2019, shared on Youtube by Discovery Channel, confirms that the correct start date and time is Sunday, July 28 at 8pm.

It is unclear why Google has Shark Week 2019’s start date listed as July 13 when Discovery Channel clearly says it begins on July 28 and all major online news and entertainment publications have also reported that the 2019 summer dates from the program are July 28-August 4. No matter the reason, rest assured that you have another two weeks to prepare for Shark Week.


Shark Week 2019 Programming Schedule & Specials

On the official “Shark Week” Facebook page, they have linked fans to an Entertainment Weekly article that details the programming schedule for the 8-day television event, writing “The shark’s out of the bag! Here is the complete Shark Week 2019 schedule.”

Entertainment Weekly says that viewers should expect to enjoy 18 different specials over the course of Shark Week’s 8 days. The program, which is celebrating its 31st year on the Discovery Channel, kicks off with Expedition Unknown: Megalodon at 8pm ET/PT, followed by Shark Trip: Eat. Prey. Chum. at 9pm. For a complete list of this year’s programs and their descriptions, click here.

New this year is a nightly wrap-up talk show called Shark After Dark. It starts at 11pm ET/PT each night and is hosted by Rob Riggle.

According to The Wrap, this year’s Shark Week is offering another special first for its fans: a feature-length, scripted film starring Josh Duhamel. The film, entitled Capsized: Blood in the Water, is based on a true story. It premieres on the Discovery Channel on Wednesday, July 31 at 9/8c. The official synopsis for the movie reveals:

“Based on the harrowing true story of an October 1982 shark encounter. After a yacht bound for Florida capsizes during an unexpected storm, its crew is left to drift for days in the chilling waters of the Atlantic where they become prey to a group of tiger sharks. With the hope of rescue dwindling, the crew must do everything in their power to survive as the sharks continue to hunt them. Starring Josh Duhamel, Tyler Blackburn, Rebekah Graf, Beau Garrett, and Josh Close. Produced by Stephen David Entertainment.”


Tune in to Shark Week 2019, July 28 through August 4 on the Discovery Channel.

Read More