Americans have turned a television promotion into an institution, a tradition, and almost a holiday. Yes, it's Shark Week once again on the Discovery Channel, back for its 31st edition. If you haven't been keeping up all this time, you might want to learn a few new things about Shark Week.
2. The very first Shark Week nearly doubled Discovery's ratings.
Shark Week made its debut on July 17, 1988 with the special Caged in Fear. A total of 10 shark-themed shows aired that year over the course of the inaugural Shark Week, which was an immediate hit. The channel’s ratings nearly doubled their normal primetime average.
3. Shark Week has a lot of celebrity fans.
Shark Week has become a highly anticipated television obsession for viewers around the world, including more than a few A-list names. Tracy Morgan’s 30 Rock character, Tracy Jordan, famously advised Kenneth the Page to “live every week like it’s Shark Week.” In 2010, Stephen Colbert called Shark Week “one of the two holiest of holidays.” Over the years, several other celebrities
Learn more tidbits about Shark Week at Mental Floss.
(Image credit: Sharkcrew)