Author: Newsroom
New York – July 18, 2024 – Hosted by John Cena, Shark Week, the annual week-long celebration of sharks, returned to Discovery Channel on Sunday, July 7 at 8PM ET/PT with 21 hours of new programming – helping the network rank as the #1 primetime cable network, excluding news and sports, for the week. Delivering a strong performance among several key adult demos, including P25-54 and P18-49, the popular programming event reached 25 million total viewers across Discovery Channel, Max and discovery+, a 10% increase over last year.
“Every year, we set out to break new ground, discover new truths and bring extraordinary images of sharks to our viewers,” said Howard Lee, President of Discovery Networks. “This, combined with our host John Cena’s signature charm, experts’ groundbreaking research and lots of sharks, cements why Shark Week remains the programming event of the Summer and continues to engage audiences.”
Throughout the week, Discovery owned seven of the top 10 telecasts among Adults 25-54 with Expedition Unknown: Sharks vs. Nazis in Paradise (#3), Jaws vs. Leviathan (#4), Caught! When Sharks Attack (#6), Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood (#7), Great White Danger Zone (#8), Makozilla (#9), and Belly of the Beast: Bigger and Bloodier (#10). Each night of programming displayed double or triple-digit percent improvement versus the prior six-week timeslot average among Adults 25-54, including a 259% ratings increase on Thursday, July 11.
Shark Week’s strong viewership helped drive a successful premiere performance for the natural disaster series In the Eye of the Storm on Sunday, July 14 at 10PM ET/PT, leading it to become the highest-rated non-spinoff freshman premiere for Discovery Channel in three years.