A look at Shark Week

Shark Yourself

First published on the Capstrat website 7/26/10.

I've been watching a lot of Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel lately. It's summer. There are no new shows. And I have a giant crush on Mike Rowe. 

Over the past two weeks, I've seen a lot of promotional commercials for Discovery Channel's upcoming Shark Week (beginning August 1). I've heard about it for years. I've seen aquariums jump on the bandwagon. Why does Shark Week exist? And how could there be a sustainable audience for 23 years? With the premiere week 12 years after Jaws.

Shark lovers seem to think they have shark week to educate people on shark safety, but there is still some sensationalism and some debate.

Though my fears are unfounded, I am too fearful of shark attacks to watch. But I think the inventors are genius:

• Sharks are universally known, feared and revered.
• The Discovery Channel created a holiday week that will have controversy and discussion every year. 
• Non-fatal shark attacks are frequent enough that a tie in to a real event or story is possible.
• The Discovery Channel shows the same shows every year, only adding a handful of new programs.
• The Discovery Channel has created an arsenal of reusable promotional materials to entertain those interested. 
• As a viewer, you may watch to learn what you should do if you see a shark or you may watch to see scary footage - but with 24 hour programming 7 days a week, there is something for everyone.

Though I am not sure I will understand the precise goals of Shark Week, with almost 30 million viewers Discovery Channel was on to something. 

Related links for shark exploring:

• Shark Week programming guide.
• Romancing the Shark - a romance quiz to determine your shark mate.
• Shark Puzzles - online puzzles, much like offline ones. (I found them much harder online than in real life.)
• State of the Shark - Shark population and statistics, notable shark discoveries and factual information about the unprovoked shark attacks.
• Shark Anatomy - Reviews shark anatomy and senses.
• Shark Yourself - A game that allows you to create a shark version of yourself.
• Shark Week on the Discovery Channel Blog - Has information about a photo contest and other shark facts. 
• Shark Week on Twitter - Discovery Channel didn't nab up @SharkWeek, but they are chatting it up on the @Discovery account and using #SharkWeek.