Discovery Channel’s heavily promoted Shark Week annual programming stunt jumped out to a fast start this past Sunday (July 23) with adult viewers, according to the network.

Discovery’s three-hour block of original primetime programming on July 23 — featuring such shows as Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy, Jaws vs The Meg and Serial Killer: Red Sea Attacks — topped all television shows among adults 25 to 54 as it reached more than 5.3 million total viewers across Discovery Channel and Max during its premiere night, according to Discovery.

Overall, through its first four nights, Discovery said Shark Week programming was most watched on cable among all adults 25-54 and 18-49, as well as women 18-34 on a Nielsen-live-plus-same-day basis. 

Discovery Channel heavily cross-promoted Shark Week programming across such Warner Bros Discovery platforms as TBS, Travel Channel, TNT, Food Network, HGTV and CNN, according to the network.

“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,” Discovery Networks and TLC president Howard Lee said in a statement. “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 was a success and set the stage for the week’s strong performance.” 

Discovery Channel has tapped Aquaman film star Jason Momoa to host its 35th annual Shark Week programming block this summer, Warner Bros Discovery announced Wednesday during its upfront presentation in New York City.

Momoa will set up the lineup of shows Discovery will offer around the world of sharks from new and continuously explored destinations, which runs in July. Momoa follows last year's Shark Week Master of Ceremonies Dwayne Johnson. 

“As the host of Shark Week, I am beyond excited to take you along on this journey,” said Momoa, who will star in Aquaman film sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. “This project means more to me than a week of talking about sharks. It’s a chance for me to learn and share my connection to these amazing creatures. My love of sharks came long before my time as Aquaman – it began several generations before me.”

Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that Apple TV+ will launch Nov. 1 and cost $4.99 a month.

The low price is certain to increase the pressure on other new entrants into the streaming business.

Cook noted that the price was the same as for a single movie rental. “This is crazy,” he said.

Cook said Apple TV+ will be releasing new shows every month and that it will be available in over 100 countries at launch.

Related: Five Things You Should Know About Apple TV+

“We're so excited about Apple TV+ that we wanted to do something really special and so starting today, when you buy an iPhone, an iPad, a Mac or an Apple TV, you’ll get one year of Apple TV+,” Cook said.

“So we can’t wait for you to start watching Apple TV+ on Nov. 1,” he said.

Cook said Apple TV+ was designed to bring viewers "the best original stories from the most creative minds in television and tell stories that help you find inspiration that are grounded in emotion."

He noted that earlier this summer, Apple released trailers for three of its new series, For All Mankind, Dickinson and The Morning Show.

“The reaction to these trailers has been incredible. They’ve been viewed over a hundred million times,” Cook said. He added that the trailer for The Morning Show, starring Reese Witherspoon, is “one of the most-watched trailers for any new television show ever.”

During his presentation, he introduced the premiere showing of the trailer for the new series See, starring Jason Momoa.

Season one of The Red Road on SundanceTV was a murky crime and cultural stew set in the mountains of northern New Jersey, where a Lenape Indian tribe and rural New Jerseyans co-exist uneasily. It introduced Jason Momoa as the dynamic anti-hero Philip Kopus, a repeat offender with an honor code (frequently broken, as in when he kills his best friend) but whose disadvantages include having a depraved criminal father, currently incarcerated, played by Tom Sizemore. The other principals are local police officer Harold Jensen (Martin Henderson), who somehow survived his encounters with the Kopuses in season one, and his wife, Jean (Julianne Nicholson), who learned in season one that she suffers from schizophrenia. Meanwhile, the hills where the local Native American tribe lives (including Kopus, whose mother, played by Tamara Tunie, is a tribe leader) are polluted and the newly-recognized tribe might or might not want to bring in a casino.

That's a brief recap that leaves out a lot but it sets the stage for some interesting developments in season two. Most of the characters are back: even Tamara Tunie's character, Marie, is in remission from her cancer. (Six questions with Law & Order SVU vet Tamara Tunie here.) Philip Kopus is out of jail, with an ankle monitor, and keeping a relatively low profile. He does have some guilt issues, though, and not a lot of luck on his side. Harold Jensen, by contrast, seems to be riding his luck pretty well, including on the job, despite the many corners he has had to cut. Many of them in season one were to protect Jean, and her story in these new episodes offer an interesting exploration of her condition, and whether or not non-traditional approaches might help. 

Season two of The Red Road has more of a grown-up feel than the anxious first season, with more time to explore the individual characters when they are not under constant stress. There is a murder in episode one, though, and no doubt there will be more than enough danger ahead. Wes Studi joins the cast as pro-casino tribal chief Levi.

Photo, of slightly bloodied Philip Kopus (Jason Momoa), from SundanceTV by Quantrell D. Colbert.