Discovery’s Shark Week Returns Sunday, July 26 With Ken Jeong and REI AMI, Full Programming Slate Unveiled

Discovery Channel announced that Shark Week will return this summer on Sunday, July 26, marking the start of the network’s annual block devoted to shark-focused documentary programming. The announcement was made by Discovery as part of the event’s 2026 planning, with a slate that Discovery said is now fully unveiled.

The network described Shark Week as “the original and longest-running programming event,” characterizing the week as a mix of “bold storytelling” and “pioneering science,” along with other “must-see cultural moments.” Joseph Boyle, head of content for Discovery Channel, said Shark Week is “an unmatched legacy” and that the 2026 run continues that approach.

Discovery also announced major on-screen talent additions, including Ken Jeong and REI AMI, who are listed among the featured participants for the 2026 event. Discovery did not provide additional context in the announcement excerpt about the specific formats those performers will appear in, beyond their inclusion in the program’s lineup.

The announcement situates Shark Week as a recurring summer tentpole for Discovery Channel, a franchise built around nonfiction storytelling about marine life and animal behavior. Shark Week’s return date is set for late July, positioning it for audiences during the summer period when cable and streaming viewing typically increase.

Beyond the date and performer announcements, Discovery’s publicity materials referenced a “full slate” for the week, indicating the event’s complete lineup is available as part of the network’s communications for the year. Specific episode titles, themes, and schedule timing for individual programs were not included in the announcement excerpt.

The July 26 start also provides advance notice for viewers and advertisers planning summer programming blocks. For households that schedule around live and time-specific television events, the network’s public return date is the key piece of information for arranging viewing.

Discovery’s Shark Week returns Sunday, July 26, with Ken Jeong and REI AMI included among the highlighted names, and with the network describing its 2026 plan as an extension of the franchise’s longstanding “legacy.”