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Geographic Channel
National Geographic
Channel
National Geographic Channel, also
commercially abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo, is an American
subscription channel, that airs non-fiction television programs produced by the
National Geographic Society and other production companies. Like History and
the Discovery Channel, the channel features documentaries with factual content
involving nature, science, culture, and history, plus some reality programming.
The channel is owned primarily by Fox Cable Networks, a division of 21st
Century Fox. Its primary sister network worldwide, including the United States,
is Nat Geo Wild, which focuses on animal
In
September 1997, the world's first National Geographic Channel was launched in
the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia. In July 1998, National Geographic
Channel Asia was launched in partnership and distribution with STAR TV (Before
replacing NBC Asia Channel. The same happened in NBC Europe's demise in 1998).
Today, the channel is available in over 143 countries, seen in more than 160
million homes and in 25 languages.
In
the United States, National Geographic Channel, launched on January 12, 2001,
is 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 ad sales.
In
Canada, the channel (National Geographic Channel (Canada)) is owned by Shaw
Media and National Geographic Channel USA, while the European versions are
operated in partnership with Fox's sister company, British Sky Broadcasting
(BSkyB), which has since sold to Fox in 2007. This includes an English language
version for the UK, Iceland and Republic of Ireland, which is carried on
BSkyB's own Sky Digital pay TV service and also on TalkTalk TV in the UK, Sky
Digital, UPC, Magnet Networks, SCTV in the Republic of Ireland and Skjarin in
Iceland.
In
Australia, National Geographic Channel is carried by Foxtel, Optus, Austar,
Neighbourhood Cable, TransTV, and SelecTV. The Australian version includes
Australian guest presenters of promotional material and to introduce certain
programs, series and specials.
In
New Zealand, National Geographic Channel is broadcast on SKY Network Television
and TelstraClear InHomeTV.
In
South Africa, the channel is carried by Digital Satellite Television (also
known as DStv) is MultiChoice's multi-channel digital satellite TV service in
Africa.
In
the Middle East, an Arabic version is broadcasting free to air on Nilesat as
National Geographic Abu Dhabi. It is co-owned by the National Geographic
Society/Fox International Channels and Abu Dhabi Media Company.....More >>
