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Shark Week 2026 Kicks Off With K‑Pop Opener and Broad Free‑Trial Streaming Access

Discovery is using a Ken Jeong and Rei Ami special plus a 20‑program schedule to drive viewership to Discovery+, HBO Max and live‑TV streaming services that offer short free trials.

Overview

  • Shark Week began Sunday, July 26 with “K‑Pop Shark Heroes” and runs nightly through Saturday, Aug. 1 with 20 new specials airing in three back‑to‑back hour slots starting at 8 p.m. ET.
  • The opener pairs actor Ken Jeong with singer Rei Ami to use K‑Pop outreach and an original song to reshape public perceptions of sharks and highlight conservation work in East Asia.
  • Viewers can watch live on U.S. services that carry Discovery — including Philo, DirecTV Stream, Sling and Hulu + Live TV — and stream on demand via Discovery+ and HBO Max.
  • Many commerce and tech outlets point to short free trials as the cheapest way for cord‑cutters to catch premieres, with Philo (seven days), DirecTV and YouTube TV (five days) and Hulu (three days) commonly recommended.
  • Tech guides note that travelers and international viewers often use VPNs to access U.S. streaming services, and the lineup mixes investigative science, conservation stories and stunt‑based specials that extend Shark Week’s traditional mix.