Discovery Channel’s Shark Week first aired in 1988.
The programming block premiered on July 17, 1988, as a week of shark-themed television. Its original purpose was not simply sensational entertainment: the early programming emphasized shark conservation and correcting popular misconceptions about these animals. The first Shark Week included 10 episodes, beginning with Caged in Fear.
Other early programs included Sharks: Predators or Prey, The Shark Takes a Siesta, and Sharks of a Different Color. The event’s success led Discovery to make it an annual summer tradition. Over time, Shark Week expanded from documentary-style programming into hosted specials, experiments, historical features, and celebrity-led shows.
A common mistake is to confuse its launch year with later milestones. Nigel Marven began hosting in 2000, while the 25th-anniversary programming appeared in 2012. Shark Week has also been described as the longest-running annual cable television programming event, helping make it one of Discovery’s most recognizable brands.