National Geographic has launched a live streaming event titled “Hammerhead Sharks Up Close” featuring explorer and host Bertie Gregory [1].

The event aims to correct common misconceptions about hammerhead sharks and showcase the animals in their natural habitat. By providing an intimate look at these predators, the program seeks to foster greater public understanding, and support for marine conservation efforts [2].

The broadcast premiered on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 9 p.m. [3]. This event serves as a lead-in to the broader Sharkfest celebration, a month-long tribute to the species that officially began on July 5, 2026 [4].

Viewers can access the stream via Disney+ [1]. Some reports indicate the content is also available on Hulu [2], though other sources focus exclusively on the Disney+ platform [3].

As a National Geographic explorer, Gregory leads the dive to provide a first-person perspective of the sharks' behavior. The programming is designed to integrate with the wider Sharkfest schedule, which includes various specials and documentaries throughout the month [4].

The production emphasizes the biological uniqueness of the hammerhead shark. By bringing the camera close to the animals, the series intends to replace fear with curiosity — a core goal of the network's current educational outreach.

“The event aims to correct common misconceptions about hammerhead sharks.”

The timing of the live stream and the subsequent month-long Sharkfest tribute suggests a strategic effort by National Geographic to leverage high-production live events to drive subscriptions on Disney+ and Hulu. By focusing on misconception correction, the network is pivoting from traditional 'monster' narratives toward a science-based conservation approach to marine biology.