Nat Geo WILD's SharkFest: The No. 2 Week of Sharks on Television!

Investigating Shark Legends; The Latest Shark Attack Findings; Showcasing Awe-Inspiring Behavior

Nat Geo WILD's Fourth Annual SharkFest Reveals the Truth About Sharks at Alcatraz and Dives in With Hammerheads, the Ultimate Hunters

Weeklong Event Begins Sunday, June 26, at 8/7c Only on Nat Geo WILD

WASHINGTON -- Nat Geo WILD has the silver medal of shark TV on lockdown. In the feeding frenzy of cable television, we're proud to be No. 2, with more sharks per square inch than anybody. Nat Geo WILD's fourth annual SharkFest continues to stick to the facts with an in-depth investigation of the waters around Alcatraz, and we dive in with hammerhead sharks to see one of the most evolved predators in the world up close. We've got the latest insights from the top shark researchers, a comprehensive look at the many shark species in all their glory and a week of our top shark shows. SharkFest begins Sunday, June 26, at 8/7c. For more information, visit www.natgeowild.com/sharkfest and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/NGC_PR.

"The synergy between Nat Geo WILD and shark lovers everywhere is what keeps pushing us to up our game every year in celebration of our fin-tastic friends while schooling the competition with a can't-miss lineup of awesomeness," said Geoff Daniels, executive vice president and general manager, Nat Geo WILD. "And frankly, it cost us a $**%$-load less because all the money we would have spent for marketing went into putting real sharks on screen and actually helping save them. Win, win!"

New premiere Sharkatraz kicks off the week with and in-depth look at the stories about sharks in the San Francisco Bay. Did Alcatraz prisoners really face shark-infested waters if they tried to escape? We recount some of the most notorious prisoner escapes and talk to researchers to get the truth about sharks in these infamous waters.

Then we dive in with Mega Hammerhead to see one of the most highly evolved predators up close. Little is understood about these massive sharks...until now. Hammerheads may be coming closer to U.S. shores than ever before, so a team of researchers are racing to find, catch and tag the ultimate hunter.

SHARKFEST PREMIERES:

Sharkatraz

Premiering Sunday, June 26, 8/9c

The worst of the worst were sent to Alcatraz - also known as "The Rock." And they all wanted to escape. But their biggest obstacle wasn't the bars, the razor wire or the guards - it was the sharks. Right in the middle of an area called The Red Triangle, the waters around Alcatraz are home to a variety of dangerous shark species, including the dreaded great white. And the guards made sure the prisoners knew it. We'll investigate real shark attacks and join explorer Scott Cassell as he dives into the murky domain of The Red Triangle. We'll explore these incredible but ominous creatures, and find out once and for all the truth behind the myth of Sharkatraz.

Mega Hammerhead

Sunday, June 26, 9/8c

The hammerhead shark is one of the most recognizable animals on planet Earth. But very few people know that it is also one of the most highly evolved and specialized predators ever. Dr. Neil Hammerschlag and his team of researchers are setting off on a quest to learn more about this mysterious shark, as well as search for the most elusive of them all - the massive great hammerhead - a shark that can grow up to 20 feet in length and can weigh over 1,000 pounds.

SHARKFEST WEEKLONG SCHEDULE:

SUNDAY, JUNE 26
7/6C - SHARK ATTACK EXPERIMENT
8/7C - SHARKATRAZ - PREMIERE
9/8C - MEGA HAMMERHEAD - PREMIERE
10/9C - UNITED SHARKS OF AMERICA

MONDAY, JUNE 27
7/6C - SHARKS OF LOST ISLAND
8/7C - BLITZKRIEG SHARKS
9/8C - SHARK ALLEY
10/9C - SHARK KILL ZONE

TUESDAY, JUNE 28
7/6c - WHEN SHARKS ATTACK
8/7c - WHEN SHARKS ATTACK - CAPE JAWS
9/8c - WHEN SHARKS ATTACK - CALIFORNIA KILLER
10/9c - WHEN SHARKS ATTACK - FLORIDA FRENZY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
7/6c - LOST SHARKS OF EASTER ISLAND
8/7c - SHOCKING SHARKS
9/8c - WORLD'S DEADLIEST SHARKS
10/9c - UNITED SHARKS OF AMERICA

THURSDAY, JUNE 30
7/6c - MISSION CRITICAL: SHARKS UNDER ATTACK
8/7c - THE WHALE THAT ATE JAWS: BITE-SIZED
9/8c - SHARKATRAZ
10/9c - SHARK ATTACK EXPERIMENT

FRIDAY, JULY 1
7/6c - SHARKS BATTLEGROUND: THE RED TRIANGLE
8/7c - HAMMERHEAD
9/8c - RAGGED TOOTH SHARKS
10/9c - RED SEA JAWS

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The National Geographic Channels (The Channels) form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society's mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and www.natgeowild.com.