National Geographic’s 2023 “Sharkfest” includes 72 hours of programming that kicks off on July 2nd. This year’s shark-centric summer lineup will air on National Geographic, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo Mundo, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN2, and includes the six-episode series When Sharks Attack 360 along with the eight-episode series When Sharks Attack…And Why.
This year’s shark-oriented month-long programming travels around the globe to Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Indonesia, South Africa, the U.K., and the United States.
National Geographic’s Sharkfest 2023 Lineup:
BULL SHARK BANDITS
National Geographic – Premieres July 2 at 8/7c
ESPN2 – July 7 at 10/9c
Nat Geo WILD – July 24 at 10/9c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
Shark biologists Dr. Johan Gustafson and Dr. Mariel Familiar López investigate rising reports of bull sharks stealing from fishermen in Weipa, northern Australia. Could this methodical and radical shift in behavior provide new evidence of shark intelligence? To find out, the team deploys groundbreaking experiments and technology, including a new prototype diving cage.
SHARK EAT SHARK
National Geographic – Premieres July 2 at 9/8c
Nat Geo WILD – July 26 at 10/9c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
Around the world, reports of shark-on-shark attacks are on the rise. Now, off South Africa’s dramatic southern coast, a new hotspot has emerged — a bay where white sharks hunt other sharks. In a groundbreaking investigation, Enrico Gennari and Lacey Williams lead a team of experts into the deep to capture conclusive evidence of SHARKS EATING SHARKS!
SAVED FROM A SHARK
National Geographic – Premieres July 2 at 10/9c
Nat Geo WILD – July 27 at 8/7c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
The scientific community is divided as to whether dolphins or whales will deliberately save a person from a shark attack. But the people who have lived through these terrifying encounters don’t doubt what happened.
WHEN SHARKS ATTACK 360 (Six-Episode Series)
National Geographic – Premieres July 3 at 8/7c, with new episodes each night through July 11
Nat Geo WILD – July 30 at 6/5c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
An international team of experts hunts for clues as they investigate why sharks bite humans. They unravel the surprising threads that link these incidents. As the evidence mounts, they analyze data in a cutting-edge VFX shark lab to understand in forensic detail why sharks attack.
RETURN OF THE WHITE SHARK
National Geographic – Premieres July 3 at 9/8c
Nat Geo WILD – July 25 at 8/7c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
Hundreds of great white sharks have recently appeared on the doorstep of one of America’s most popular tourist destinations, hunting in ways never documented before. To understand why the sharks are here and what this means for Cape Cod, a team of scientists are studying this new phenomenon to try to keep people safe. Are the sharks changing the natural ecosystem … or restoring it?
BULL SHARK VS. HAMMERHEAD
National Geographic – Premieres July 3 at 10/9c
ESPN2 – July 7 at 9/8c
Nat Geo WILD – July 28 at 9/8c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
In Florida, a rare event between top ocean predators was captured on video: bull sharks attacking a great hammerhead. Dr. Heithaus and a team of shark experts launch an investigation pinning one against the other. They put experiments to the test to see what happens when these top predators come head-to-head.
SHARK BELOW ZERO
National Geographic – Premieres July 5 at 9/8c
Nat Geo WILD – July 24 at 8/7c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
White sharks have been spotted across Canada as far north as the coast of Newfoundland. After the first suspected white shark attack in Canada for over 150 years, experts Greg Skomal, Heather Bowlby, Megan Winton and Warren Joyce investigate what drives white shark’s journey to the northernmost limit of their range.
SHARKANO: HAWAII
National Geographic – Premieres July 5 at 10/9c
Nat Geo WILD – July 24 at 9/8c and 11/10c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
To find out why sharks are drawn to Hawaii’s volcanoes, biologists Dr. Mike Heithaus and Dr. Frances Farabaugh free dive with one of the most dangerous sharks: the tiger shark.
WHEN SHARKS ATTACK…AND WHY (Eight-Episode Series)
National Geographic – Premieres July 6 at 9/8c, with new episodes each night through July 12
Nat Geo WILD – July 26 at 8/7c and 9/8c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
From America’s coastlines to exotic beaches around the world, shark attacks are becoming more unpredictable. Many of these attacks occur suddenly, in large numbers and in unexpected locations — puzzling locals and scientists alike. Experts investigate these mysterious incidents to discover what is affecting some of nature’s most feared fish.
SHARKS VS. DOLPHINS: BAHAMAS BATTLEGROUND
National Geographic – Premieres July 10 at 10/9c
Nat Geo WILD – July 28 at 8/7c
Disney+ and HULU – July 2
In the Bahamas, more than 30% of dolphins have shark-bite scars. With a never-before-seen non-toxic gel bite pad and life-sized dolphin decoy, Dr. Mike Heithaus and Dr. Valeria Paz collect bite impressions from three shark species that might be the predators. Bites from bull sharks, tiger sharks and great hammerheads — up to 14 feet long — are compared to scars photographed on dolphins.
