The Discovery Channel knows we love sharks, so why stop at just a week? Why not a whole season devoted to the sharp-tooth predators of the deep? That’s exactly what the cable network plans for this summer.
Shark Week will start earlier than ever this year, kicking off on July 5 through July 12, Discovery said Thursday. However, shark-dedicated programming will continue through August, so Discovery will have a Summer of the Shark season.
As for the main Shark Week, it will include the first ever expedition to New Zealand, South Africa, the Arctic, Taiwan and elsewhere to bring as many different sharks to television audiences as possible.
Discovery is also promising sequels to specials like Air Jaws and Great White Serial Killer.
Another special will focus on Sean Lesniak, who is only 10 years old. Lesniak is a shark conservationist and will go on an expedition with his idol, biologist Greg Skomal.
This year’s Shark Week probably isn’t going to feature specials about fake underwater monsters. Earlier this month, new Discovery chief Rich Ross promised that “authenticity” should be the new key word for the network. So, no, there won’t be a live special with a scientist trying to be eaten alive by a shark.