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Shark Week is here: How to watch, latest South Carolina shark attack numbers and more

Greenville News

Discovery Channel's Shark Week begins this weekend, marking the 36th annual event in the channel's long history of shark-related programming.

WWE wrestler and actor John Cena will take on the role of host following Jason Momoa in 2023. The week of programming begins at 8 p.m. this Sunday, July 7, starting with "Belly of the Beast: Bigger and Bloodier," described by the Shark Week website as "an intense and eye-opening show that delves into the world of great white shark feeding frenzies."

Here's what else we know about the annual tradition coming soon in 2024, from programming to streaming options.

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What is Shark Week?

A large Great white shark cruises past the underwater cameraman at Guadalupe Island off the coast of Mexico. The clear waters off the island allow sharks and potential prey to see each other more clearly.

The Discovery Channel airs a full week of shark-related entertainment and educational programs during its yearly Shark Week television event. The event is a longstanding tradition—the earliest Shark Week aired over 30 years ago, in 1988.

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What week is Shark Week 2024?

Shark Week 2024 will begin this weekend on Sunday, July 7, at 8 p.m. The programming runs for a week, with the final day on Saturday, July 13.

Host John Cena will present the following wild titles for 2024's Shark Week:

Sunday, July 7

8 p.m. - Belly of the Beast: Bigger and Bloodier
9 p.m. - Jaws vs Leviathan
10 p.m. - Makozilla
11 p.m. - Sydney Harbor Shark Invasion

Monday, July 8

8 p.m. - Big Shark Energy
9 p.m. - Shark Frenzy: Mating Games
10 p.m. - Great White Serial Killer: Sea of Blood

Tuesday, July 9

8 p.m. - Deadliest Bite
9 p.m. - 6000 LB Shark
10 p.m. - Monster Hammerheads: Species X

Wednesday, July 10

8 p.m. - Great White North
9 p.m. - Expedition Unknown: Sharks vs. Nazis in Paradise
10 p.m. - Alien Sharks: Ghosts of Japan

Thursday, July 11

8 p.m. - Monsters of Oz
9 p.m. - Caught! When Sharks Attack
10 p.m. - Great White Danger Zone

Friday, July 12

8 p.m. - The Real Sharkano
9 p.m. - Sharks of the Dead Zone
10 p.m. - Shark Attack Island

Saturday, July 13

8 p.m. - Sharktopia
9 p.m. - Mothersharker: Hammer Time

Where can I watch Shark Week live?

Cinematographer Andy Casagrande has been shooting video for Shark Week for more than two decades. He has plenty more in store for 2024.

Shark Week airs on the Discovery Channel.

Where can I stream Shark Week?

You can catch the event on Discovery+ and Max if you don't have cable.

How many shark attacks have there been in SC?

2014 - 5
2015 - 8
2016 - 2
2017 - 10
2018 - 3
2019 - 1
2020 - 1
2021 - 4
2022 - 4
2023 - 2

None of these attacks were fatal to the victims.

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.