Now a bonanza of viewership, the 37-year-old event that launched as a meager presentation of 10 basic programs and has also courted detractors over the years.

In its 37th year, Shark Week is the Discovery Channel's annual weeklong slate of shark-related programming. This year's event kicked off Sunday, July 20, with "Dancing With Sharks," an inter-species dance competition hosted by returning "Dancing With the Stars" frontman Tom Bergeron.

Discovery Channel's Shark Week 2025 kicks off Sunday, July 20, with the Tom Bergeron-hosted premiere special, "Dancing with Sharks."

Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” kicks off with a unique twist this year: “Dancing with Sharks.” Hosted by former “Dancing With the Stars” host Tom Bergeron, the show features scuba-diving shark handlers performing underwater dances with hammerhead sharks.