Industry Insider: Discovery HD's Clint Stinchcomb

Discovery HD Theater Brings the 20th Anniversary of SHARK WEEK into Sharp Focus

By Clint Stinchcomb, Executive Vice President and General Manager, HDTV and New Media, Discovery Communications

For the past 20 years, Discovery Channel has made SHARK WEEK the programming event of the summer. This year, it’s even bigger and better with SHARK WEEK programming crossing over to Discovery’s mobile service and on VOD. But probably the most impressive way to see this incredible event is on Discovery’s premiere HD service – Discovery HD Theater.

On Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5, Discovery HD Theater will premiere “Shark Weekend,” an action packed lineup of HD premieres bringing the world of sharks to life in brilliant clarity. Beginning at 7 PM ET/PT on Saturday, fans can sink their teeth into TOP FIVE EATEN ALIVE, featuring the five most amazing shark attack survival stories; SHARK TRIBE, a look into the mysterious shark whisperers of New Guinea; and PERFECT PREDATORS, a countdown of shark species according to their skills and level of development.

On Sunday, beginning at 6 PM ET/PT, viewers can look forward to SHARKMAN, featuring Michael Rutzen, who sets out to hypnotize a Great White in open water; SHARK FEEDING FRENZY, which explores shark reactions to various types of food matter; and OCEAN OF FEAR: WORST SHARK ATTACK EVER, the dramatic documentary on the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the subsequent shark attacks.

Cable’s longest-running programming event, SHARK WEEK remains one of the television’s most popular summer past times. Now, HD fans can watch footage of a shark leaping out of the water or a shark feeding frenzy, in stunning 1080i with digital surround sound, adding a whole new dimension to SHARK WEEK and bringing home the jaw-clenching action like never before.