Putting the King of Atlantis in charge of Shark Week is only right. That’s correct, Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa, hosted this year’s Discovery Shark Week. And the genius, Momoa-marketing strategy turned out to be a ratings bonanza. The first ever Shark Week debuted 35 years ago in the summer of 1988. But with the popular DC and Game of Thrones actor helming the ship, it’s only natural that the 2023 incarnation garnered so much success.
President of Discovery Networks and TLC, Howard Lee, said in an interview with Deadline:
“We were able to harness the strength of the Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio to cross promote ‘Shark Week,’ and now, with double-digit gains throughout the week, it is the highest-rated in three years – with every night outperforming a year ago. It’s a powerful example of how we can use our platforms to showcase high-profile programming events. Also, our collaboration with host Jason Momoa, the fan-favorite actor and conservationist who guides viewers through each night of programming, ensured that our first night.”
One ad promoting this year’s Shark Week featured Jason Momoa gleefully waving his arms like he were a modern-day Johannes Brahms, or a madcap Ludwig van Beethoven while standing on a beach. Then, as if he were actually a finely tuned composer, Momoa conducted an orchestra of sharks and their beautifully violent motions in the oceanic waters. “I’m doing Shark Week!” Momoa screamed.
Related: Discovery Channel: A Brief History of Shark Week
Momoa Helps Make Shark Week 2023 a Big Hit
47 Meters Down/Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
Jason Momoa is one of the talented actors who survived the purge of the now defunct DCEU. And he will return (in some capacity, whether it’s as Arthur Curry or Lobo) to the DC Universe (DCU) James Gunn and Peter Safran are crafting. But before Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom hits theaters, Momoa was busy helping make Shark Week a swimming — oh, those wonderful puns — success.
SVP of Marketing for US Networks Group, Josh Kovolenko, said in the same interview with Deadline:
“We engaged viewers across every brand and platform because we wanted to provide memorable Shark Week experiences for them, including offering an exclusive sneak peek of Meg 2: The Trench, the next big theatrical release from Warner Bros. Discovery. We also brokered various marketing partnerships with influential brands that are organically connected to our long-standing mission to highlight and celebrate sharks.”
Two of the biggest hits from this year’s Shark Week are now available to stream on Max. At the time of this writing, the 44-minute program Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy was the second most popular program on Discovery (per the U.S. Television Database) with over 1.3 million people having viewed Belly of the Beast. And the gold medal goes to the 42-minute program, Jaws vs. the Meg, which takes the No. 1 spot on Discovery with over 1.43 million people having watched.
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