Skip to main content

Expect a more scientific Shark Week this year with Sharkopedia, extensive social media push

When Discovery’s Shark Week begins on Sunday (July 5), the week-long celebration will feature expanded scientific online content on a dedicated site called Sharkopedia. Shark experts, or “finbassadors” as the network calls them, will take over Discovery’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts to educate viewers about sharks, according to Variety. It’s all part of president Rich Ross’ plan to make Shark Week more of a scientific series of programming instead of an over-dramatized mix of truth and fiction.

“We’re focusing hard on the scientists this year and the research that a lot of the science community is engaging in with shark behavior,” said Discovery VP of documentaries Howard Swartz to USA Today. “We’re really hitting that hard this year.”

Recommended Videos

Sharkopedia, an extensive online guide to sharks, delves into pages upon pages on topics like shark conservation, shark attacks, shark sex, shark history, and the shark diet. Discovery secured a group of “finbassadors” — scientists, divers, filmmakers, photographers, advocates and the like — to develop this free content and run their social media accounts for the week. Also on tap for the network are Snapchat stories featuring mascot Chompie Jr. as well as live-streamed Meerkat events including a live shark feeding filmed at Baltimore’s National Aquarium.

“There are so many different ways for people to interact with ‘Shark Week’, and we are building a big, multi platform experience that has huge reach across Facebook and Twitter,” said Discovery exec Paul Pastor to Variety. The network will also be testing the aforementioned newer social media platforms.

Discovery’s weeklong ‘Shark Week’ on network TV will also publicize the online guide, saying that the programs are “powered by” Sharkopedia. When its different TV shows mention shark facts, the channel will tell viewers to check out their online content.

Sharkopedia is the network’s response to viewers’ backlash against past programming which exaggerated the truth. “We live in a world that is both curious and judgmental when it comes to anything that smells of chicanery or lack of transparency,” said Ross to USA Today. “When they found out [that certain programming] wasn’t true, the backlash against the channel was fierce.”

Chris Leo Palermino
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chris Leo Palermino is a music, tech, business, and culture journalist based between New York and Boston. He also contributes…
Baseus open-ear earbuds deliver premium sound, comfort, and value
baseus bowie mc1 pro

If you’re looking to upgrade your audio experience, Baseus has a trio of fresh, open-ear options that offer high-end performance without sky-high prices. Whether you're pounding pavement, commuting, or just vibing on your couch, the Bowie MC1 Pro, BC1, and BP1 Pro are engineered to fit your lifestyle and your ears.

Bowie MC1 Pro: Clip-on Comfort, Studio-Grade Sound

Read more
Still shopping? Amazon Prime Day deals going strong into day 4
We're bringing you the best Prime Day deals throughout the sales period
Best Prime Day Gift Card Deals

It’s the fourth and final day of the longest ever Amazon Prime Day event, and if you thought the best deals were behind us, think again. Amazon’s stretching this year’s event across four full days (July 8 -11 ) which means price drops are still rolling in hot, with fresh discounts landing on everything from big-name tech to everyday essentials.

There have been stellar savings so far, with the AirPods Pro 2 heading down to $149 as the best saving we've seen.

Read more
Our ‘best TV’ is on sale for Prime Day — 65-inch Sony A95L QD-OLED at 17% off
Sony A95L QD-OLED Review

TVs are among the most popular products to buy during Amazon's Prime Day, and if you're planning to get one, make it the 65-inch Sony A95L QD-OLED 4K TV. From its original price of $3,500, it's 17% off to $2,898, which is just several dollars higher than its lowest price ever. Even with the savings of $602, it's still a pretty significant investment, but it's a purchase that you'll never regret if you want an upgrade to your home theater setup. You're going to have to be quick in completing your transaction though, as we're not sure if the offer will remain available until the final minutes of the shopping event.

Buy Now

Read more