The 38th annual Shark Week commenced on July 27 and will continue through August 1, offering six more days of shark-themed programming on the Discovery Channel. This year's event includes 20 new premieres, alongside the return of popular franchises such as "Air Jaws: Red, White and Breach."
Among the new documentaries is a special installment of "Expedition Unknown" hosted by Josh Gates, which will investigate the historical accounts of the first recorded shark attack and explore the possibility that a legendary sea monster was actually a shark. Professional cliff diver Molly Carlson is also set to attempt a record-breaking dive in shark-infested waters for "Ultimate Shark Dive." The series will also feature the return of marine experts Paul de Gelder, Forrest Galante, and Dr. Tristan Guttridge, who will undertake new expeditions and investigations.
New programming for Shark Week begins each night at 8 p.m. ET and airs exclusively on the Discovery Channel. For viewers without cable or an antenna, live streaming options are available through services offering a free trial. DIRECTV's Choice plan, which includes Discovery Channel among its 125+ channels, is available with a five-day free trial and a discount on the first month. Philo, another service that includes Discovery, costs $25 per month after a seven-day free trial.
Shark Week 2026 Schedule
Monday, July 27 8 p.m. ET: “Bull Shark Dinner Bell” 9 p.m. ET: “House of Sharks” 10 p.m. ET: “Biggest Mako on Earth”
Tuesday, July 28 8 p.m. ET: “Jurassic Sharks” 9 p.m. ET: “Jaws vs. Orca” 10 p.m. ET: “Chum Island: Catching a Killer”
Wednesday, July 29 8 p.m. ET: “Expedition X: Atomic Sharks” 9 p.m. ET: “Expedition Unknown: Shark Secrets” 10 p.m. ET: “Alien Sharks: Untamed America”
Thursday, July 30 8 p.m. ET: “What Shark Attacked?” 9 p.m. ET: “How to Train a Great White” 10 p.m. ET: “Ultimate Shark Dive”
Friday, July 31 8 p.m. ET: “Secrets of the Great White Kill” 9 p.m. ET: “Sharkzilla Takes New York” 10 p.m. ET: “My Strange Shark Addiction”
Saturday, August 1 8 p.m. ET: “Great White Highway” 9 p.m. ET: “Thresher Shark: Stun to Kill”