"Shark of Darkness: Wrath of Submarine," the Discovery Channel's program about a shark attacking a ship near South Africa, was the top ratings show in the coveted 18-49 demographic last Sunday.
The show was not without its controversy, with many fans on social media complaining that "Shark of Darkness" was fictional, but shot like a documentary making fans believe it was part of an actual event.
The Epoch Times noted that Discovery straddled the line between fact and fiction with "Shark of Darkness" in its description.
"Said to be deadliest great white shark of all time, 'Submarine' is a 30-foot great white that has terrorized the shores of South Africa for decades," the Epoch Times said of the Discovery description. "Locals believe this shark is responsible for countless fatal attacks, but existence has never been proven."
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Grant Butler, of
The Oregonian, said fans had the right to be upset with Discovery's murky depiction of the show instead of being clear that the show exhibits fake portrayals of a story that itself has not been proven as real.
"The faux documentary, which helped kicked off the opening night of Shark Week, was two hours of nonsense about an attack by a … great white shark off the coast of South Africa," Butler wrote.
"Trouble is: None of it was real," Butler continued. "The supposed attack by the shark on a whale-watching vessel earlier this year never happened, the film's blurry footage was clearly computer-generated, and the eyewitnesses, scientists and shark experts featured in the film were actually actors. One of the leading biologists in the film is even named Conrad Manus – Con Man, you get it?"
According to website TV by the Numbers, "Shark of Darkness" pulled in 1.9 million in the 18-49 demo in live and same day ratings, edging out HBO's "True Blood" (1.8 million), NASCAR Sprint Cup (1.1 million) and "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" (1.1 million). "Shark of Darkness" is part of Discovery's "Shark Week" programming.
The program, though, did not win the overall ratings race last Sunday. "Shark of Darkness" 3.8 overall rating, according to the Epoch Times, fell behind NASCAR Sprint Cup (4.9 million) and TNT's drama "The Last Ship" (4.6 million).
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