TORONTO (July 25,  2017) – Preliminary data from Numeris reveals the much-anticipated and highly buzzed-about event PHELPS VS. SHARK: GREAT GOLD VS. GREAT WHITE on Sunday night was the highest-rated SHARK WEEK program of the past three years, breaking the record for the most-watched launch for the theme week in channel history. Discovery was the most-watched specialty channel and fourth most-watched network overall in primetime on Sunday night (8-11 p.m. ET; Adults 25-54 and 18-49).

In all, PHELPS VS. SHARK attracted an audience of 445,000 total viewers and reached nearly 1 million for the premiere broadcast. Across Sunday night’s three episodes, SHARK WEEK’s total viewing audience is up 21% over last year, and up 17% among the key A25-54 demo. More than 2.1 million Canadians watched some part of SHARK WEEK’s opening night.

“We’re thrilled with the response and engagement from our audience with the launch of SHARK WEEK,” said Ken MacDonald, Vice-President and General Manager, Discovery. “This event is always entertaining, with smart, accessible science, and PHELPS VS. SHARK is a terrific example of that.”

In PHELPS VS SHARK, Discovery enlisted world class scientists to take up the challenge of making the world's greatest swimmer competitive with a great white shark. Using science and technology, the program aimed to answer one question – could the greatest Olympian of all time outswim the king of the ocean?

The week continues with daily features, including a Canadian exclusive SHARK WEEK on DAILY PLANET (7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, continuing through Friday, July 28), right through to the return of Michael Phelps for a second special to close out the week: SHARK SCHOOL WITH MICHAEL PHELPS, where the Olympian gets up close and personal with the incredible power of a great white, premiering Sunday, July 30 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Source: Numeris, 8-11 p.m. ET

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