National Geographic (American TV channel)

Last updated
National Geographic
Natgeologo.svg
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaWorldwide
Nationwide
Headquarters Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
Programming
Picture format 720p HDTV
(downscaled to 480i for the SDTV feed)
Ownership
Owner The Walt Disney Company (73%) and National Geographic Society (27%)
Parent National Geographic Global Networks (Disney Entertainment) and National Geographic Partners
Sister channels
History
LaunchedJanuary 7, 2001;23 years ago (2001-01-07)
Former namesNational Geographic Channel (2001–2016)
Links
Website natgeotv.com
Availability
Streaming media
Service(s) YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV, Vidgo, DirecTV Stream

National Geographic (formerly National Geographic Channel; abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo or Nat Geo TV) is an American pay television network and flagship channel owned by the National Geographic Global Networks unit of Disney Entertainment and National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (73%) and the National Geographic Society (27%), [1] [2] with the operational management handled by Disney Entertainment. [3]

Contents

The flagship channel airs non-fiction television programs produced by National Geographic and other production companies. Like History (which is 50% owned by Disney through A&E Networks) and Discovery Channel, the channel features documentaries with factual content involving nature, science, culture, and history, plus some reality and pseudo-scientific entertainment programming[ citation needed ]. Its primary sister network worldwide, including the United States, is Nat Geo Wild, which focuses on animal-related programming, including the popular Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan .

As of February 2015, National Geographic is available to approximately 86,144,000 pay television households (74% of households with television) in the United States. [4]

Overview

In the United States, the National Geographic Channel launched on January 7, 2001, [5] as a joint venture of National Geographic Television & Film and Fox Cable Networks. National Geographic provides programming expertise and the Fox Networks Group provides its expertise on distribution, marketing, and advertising sales.

National Geographic Channel logo (2004-2013) National Geographic Channel.svg
National Geographic Channel logo (2004–2013)

The '90s: The Last Great Decade , a documentary series narrated by Rob Lowe, pulled in 1.10 million viewers, and was the second highest-rated July telecast in the National Geographic Channel rating history. The 2000s: A New Reality, also narrated by Lowe, premiered on July 12, 2015. [6]

On November 14, 2016, National Geographic Channel was renamed as simply National Geographic, dropping the "Channel" from its name.

On December 14, 2017, in a deal, The Walt Disney Company announced it would buy the majority of 21st Century Fox. Disney would assume control of Fox's controlling stake in the National Geographic partnership thereafter. [7] Following the acquisition, National Geographic and its sister channels were folded into Walt Disney Television, with the president of the National Geographic Partners reporting directly to the Walt Disney Television chairman. [8] Disney officially closed the deal on March 20, 2019, having then added Nat Geo into its portfolio of networks. [2]

On September 15, 2023, Byron Allen made a $10B bid to buy ABC, FX & National Geographic as Bob Iger claimed it 'may not be core' to Disney. [9] On November 29th, 2023, Iger announced he was no longer interested in selling Disney's linear TV assets, effectively rejecting Bryon Allen's offer. [10]

TV shows

National Geographic Channel's TV shows, in alphabetical order:

Theme fanfare music

The National Geographic Channel's signature theme fanfare music, which is played at the beginning of many of the channel's television programs, was composed by Elmer Bernstein. It was originally written in 1964 for the Society's television specials, which were broadcast on CBS, ABC, PBS and NBC from 1964 until the early 2000s.

Other National Geographic US channels

National Geographic HD

The United States 720p high definition simulcast of the National Geographic Channel launched in January 2006. It is available on all major cable and satellite providers.

Nat Geo Wild

Nat Geo Wild (stylized as Nat Geo WILD or abbreviated as NGW) is a cable/satellite TV channel focused on animal-related programs. It is a sister network to National Geographic Channel and it is the latest channel to be jointly launched by the National Geographic Society and Fox Cable Networks. It was launched in United States on March 29, 2010, focusing primarily on wildlife and natural history programming.

Nat Geo Mundo

Nat Geo Mundo
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
Programming
Language(s) Spanish
Picture format480i SDTV
Ownership
Owner National Geographic Society
History
Launched2011;13 years ago (2011)
Availability
Streaming media
Service(s) FuboTV, YouTube TV, Vidgo, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream

Nat Geo Mundo is broadcast in American Spanish, and was launched in 2011. [13] It shares programming with the Nat Geo Channel available in Hispanic American countries. The channel is fully-owned by the National Geographic Society with no involvement from Disney General Entertainment Content.

Nat Geo TV

Nat Geo TV is an application for smartphones and tablet computers, along with Windows 10. It allows subscribers of participating pay television providers (such as Time Warner Cable and Comcast Xfinity) numerous viewing options:

Controversy and criticism

In 2013, the network began airing the reality show Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? . National Geographic Channel was criticized for their association with the Boy Scouts of America, an organization which, until a vote in May of that year that overturned its ban, had forbidden openly gay members. [14]

Archaeologists have protested that National Geographic shows such as Diggers and Nazi War Diggers promote the looting and destruction of archaeological sites by promoting the work of metal detecting souvenir hunters and collectable dealers. [15] In 2013 the National Geographic Channel set off a firestorm of controversy with its reality show Diggers. Professional archaeologists from the Society for Historical Archaeology, the largest scholarly group concerned with the archaeology of the modern world (A.D. 1400–present), roundly criticized the network for promoting the theft of cultural materials on public and private land. [16] The show Nazi War Diggers was accused of showing unscientific and disrespectful handling of human remains. A promotional quote from a military relic dealer, "I feel that by selling things that are Nazi-related and for lots of money, I am preserving things that museums don't want to deal with," was removed from the channel's website in March 2014. National Geographic expressed regret for how the series was presented by its own website but maintained that many of the accusations against the series were based on misinformation. [17] The show was repackaged, amid controversy, as Battlefield Recovery for air during 2016 on Channel 5 in the UK. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox Reality Channel</span> American pay television channel

Fox Reality Channel was an American pay television channel. It was launched on May 24, 2005, and was owned by the Fox Entertainment Group. It featured many shows that were originally on the Fox network. The channel also featured reality shows syndicated from other networks, as well as many international shows from the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Disney General Entertainment Content (DGEC), formerly ABC Group, Disney–ABC Television Group and the second incarnation of Walt Disney Television, is part of Disney Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Company that oversees its owned-and-operated television content, assets and sub-divisions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nat Geo People</span> Global pay television channel

Nat Geo People is an international pay television channel owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (73%) and the National Geographic Society (27%). Targeted at female audiences, with programming focusing on people and cultures, the channel is available in 50 countries in both linear and non-linear formats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Life (Latin American TV channel)</span> International television channel

Star Life was a pay television network in Latin America, launched by the Fox Networks Group in 2005. The network's scheduling varied with each version, ranging from traditional entertainment programming, including television series, sitcoms and films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nat Geo Wild</span> Global television channel focused on wildlife programming of National Geographic

National Geographic Wild is a global pay television network owned by National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (73%) and the National Geographic Society (27%). The channel primarily focuses on wildlife and natural history non-fiction programming. It is a sister network to National Geographic TV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox Networks Group</span> International television networks division of 21st Century Fox (1993–2024)

Fox Networks Group (FNG) was the international division of 21st Century Fox. The division oversaw the production and broadcasting of the Fox brands in the United States and internationally. These brands included Fox, Fox Sports, National Geographic, and BabyTV, as well producing and distributing more than 300 entertainment, film, sports and factual channels in 45 languages across Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia, using several brands in those regions. Among their non-linear brands were Fox Play and Fox Plus. These brands reached over 1.725 billion households around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney XD (Latin American TV channel)</span> Latin American pay television channel

Disney XD was a Latin American pay television channel owned by The Walt Disney Company and one of the channels of Disney Branded Television which operated across Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean region it is based on the original American network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BabyTV</span> Television channel

BabyTV is a multilingual, international television channel for babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged 3 or lower. The channel is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company Limited, the international division of The Walt Disney Company and is headquartered in London with television distribution handled by Disney subsidiaries across the world. The channel first launched in 2003 in Israel and in 2005 in the United Kingdom. BabyTV is distributed in over 100 countries, broadcasting in 18 languages. The channel broadcasts shows without television commercial interruptions. In the United States, the channel is distributed by Disney General Entertainment Content.

National Geographic Oceania was a subscription television documentary network in Oceania that featured programmes on subjects such as nature, science, culture and history, plus some reality television and pseudo-scientific entertainment programming. It was the Oceanian version of the National Geographic Channel Asia Pacific. From 2020 to 2023, it was the only Disney-owned network in Oceania and to broadcast as a linear television channel, with the Disney Channel and Disney Junior having been shut down in favour of the streaming service Disney+.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox (Italian TV channel)</span> Italian TV channel

Fox was an Italian television channel, owned by Fox Networks Group Italy and broadcast in Italy by Sky Italia on Channel 112. Launched on 31 July 2003, coinciding with the launch of Sky Italy, it broadcast its programs in Italian and English. In 2009, it started broadcasting in HD.

Nat Geo Music was a television music channel operated as a part of National Geographic Global Networks, which is a business unit of National Geographic Partners. The channel works in conjunction with the Society's music division National Geographic Music and Radio (NGMR).

Disney Junior is a cable and satellite television channel in Hispanic America. It is the local variant of the American channel of the same name. It is broadcast in two feeds: North Zone and South Zone. It is marketed to preschoolers. Disney Junior is operated by Disney Media Networks Latin America; part of The Walt Disney Company Latin America.

National Geographic was a pan-Asian subscription television channel owned by Disney Networks Group Asia Pacific. The channel featured non-fiction, factual programming involving nature, science, culture and history, produced by the National Geographic Society, just like History and Discovery Channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Reality Channel</span> Canadian television channel

Global Reality Channel was a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Shaw Media. The channel broadcasts reality television series and related programming. It was an offshoot of the Shaw-owned Global Television Network, which is now owned by Corus Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Geographic Wild (European TV channel)</span> Pan-European pay television channel

National Geographic Wild is a Pan-European pay television channel that features documentaries produced by the National Geographic Society. It features documentaries about nature, wildlife, natural phenomenon, and earth. The channel replaced Adventure One in Europe on 1 March 2007.

The state broadcaster Kuwait Television operates the domestic channels, including KTV1, KTV2 and KTV Sport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Geographic Partners</span> American media company; joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society

National Geographic Partners, LLC is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the namesake non-profit scientific organization National Geographic Society. The company oversees all commercial activities related to the Society, including magazine publications and television channels. The company's board of managers is evenly divided between the Society and Disney.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nat Geo Kids (Latin American TV channel)</span> Television channel

Nat Geo Kids was a Latin American pay television channel targeting children ages 3 to 11, owned by Disney Channels Worldwide and National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and National Geographic Society.

National Geographic Global Networks is a business unit within National Geographic Partners and Disney Entertainment that oversees the National Geographic-branded television channels: National Geographic, Nat Geo Kids, Nat Geo Music, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo Wild and National Geographic Studios. The unit itself was a joint operation between 21st Century Fox (21CF) and the Society, but it was later integrated into the new joint venture National Geographic Partners which they formed in 2015. On March 20, 2019, 21CF's share in National Geographic Partners was assumed by Disney, following its acquisition of most 21CF businesses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FX (international)</span> Brand name of television channels owned by FX Networks

FX is a brand name used by a number of different television channels throughout the world owned by FX Networks, a subsdiary of Disney Entertainment. FX was originally established as a standard or premium cable television channel in the United States but has expanded worldwide.

References

  1. Parker, Laura (September 9, 2015). "National Geographic and 21st Century Fox Expand Media Partnership". Culture. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Littleton, Cynthia (March 19, 2019). "Disney Closes $71 Billion 21st Century Fox Deal". Variety. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  3. Steinberg, Brian (August 29, 2019). "Disney Layoffs Affect National Geographic". Variety. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015). "List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  5. "Doctoring the Health Channel" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. January 8, 2001. p. 12. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  6. Gabrielle Pantera. "Nat Geo Channel The 2000s, Rob Lowe Narrates the Naughties". HollywoodDailyStar.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  7. "The Walt Disney Company To Acquire Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc., After Spinoff Of Certain Businesses, For $52.4 Billion In Stock" (Press release). The Walt Disney Company. December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  8. Andreeva, Nellie (October 8, 2018). "Disney Unveils Top TV Executive Structure Post Fox Acquisition: Peter Rice, Dana Walden, John Landgraf, Gary Knell Joining". Deadline. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  9. Goldsmith, Dade Hayes,Jill; Hayes, Dade; Goldsmith, Jill (September 15, 2023). "Disney Fielding Interest In ABC And Other Linear TV Assets From Byron Allen And Nexstar; Media Giant Calls Reports Of Sale Talks "Unfounded," But Will Consider "Strategic Options" – Update". Deadline. Retrieved December 6, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. "Disney's Bob Iger does a 360 on possibly selling ABC and FX and now says he'll keep the TV stations".
  11. "Apocalypse 101" via www.imdb.com.
  12. "Building Wild" via www.imdb.com.
  13. "National Geographic Launches Nat Geo Mundo, New Network For Multi-Generational And Bicultural U.S. Latinos". April 4, 2011. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  14. Wong, Curtis (January 24, 2013). "Boy Scout Reality Series Deemed Anti-Gay 'Marketing Ploy' By LGBT Activists". Huffington Post.
  15. "Two Popular TV Shows Under Fire From Archaeologists". HuffPost. March 2, 2012.
  16. "National Geographic's Diggers: is it better?". Society for Historical Archaeology. February 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  17. Mashberg, Tom (March 28, 2014). "TV Series Is Criticized in Handling of Deceased". The New York Times via NYTimes.com.
  18. "Channel 5 accused of supporting 'grave-robbing' over TV show Battlefield Recovery". the Guardian. January 8, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2021.