National Geographic Channel

For other uses, see National Geographic Channel (disambiguation).

National Geographic Channel
Launched	September 1, 1997[1]
Owned by	National Geographic Channel U.S. Owned by: National Geographic Television & Film (25%) Fox Cable Networks (News Corporation) (75%) National Geographic Channel U.K. Owned by: Fox Entertainment Group (News Corporation)
Picture format	480i (SD) 720p (HD) 1080i (HD)
Slogan	"Live Curious" "Think again." "Dare to Explore"
Website	http://www.natgeotv.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV	Channel 276 (SD/HD) Channel 1276 (VOD)
Dish Network	Channel 186 (SD/HD) 5518(HD) 9429 (HD)
DSTV	Channel 260
DishHD	Channel 6190
Cable
Verizon FiOS	Channel 121 (SD) Channel 621 (HD)
IPTV
AT&T U-verse	Channel 265 (SD) Channel 1265 (HD)

National Geographic Channel, also commercially abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo, is a subscription television channel that airs non-fiction television programs produced by the National Geographic Society. Like History and the Discovery Channel, the channel features documentaries with factual content involving nature, science, culture, and history. The channel is owned primarily by Fox Cable Networks, a division of News Corporation. Its primary sister network worldwide, including the United States, is Nat Geo WILD, which focuses on animal programming, including the popular Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan.

Overview

In September 1997, the world's first National Geographic Channel was launched in the UK, Europe and Australia.^[1] 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 & Abu Dhabi Media Company.

Theme fanfare music

The National Geographic Channel's signature theme fanfare music is composed by Elmer Bernstein, which is usually played at the beginning of many of the channel's television programs.

Other National Geographic Channels

Nat Geo Music

Main article: Nat Geo Music

Designed to offer an alternative music video channel for both international and smaller independent local labels with a focus on cultural lyrics and rhythms. Nat Geo Music became available in Italy on October 15, 2007, and will later be broadcast around the world.^[2]

Nat Geo Junior

Nat Geo Junior is broadcast in Netherlands, Belgium, India and created specifically for children. Nat Geo Junior also features as a block of programming on the National Geographic Channel in Asia.^[3][4]

National Geographic Channel HD

National Geographic Channel HD Logo

National Geographic Channel HD (NGC HD) in the USA is a 720p high definition simulcast of the National Geographic Channel. It launched in January 2006. It is available nationwide on satellite providers DirecTV, Dish Network, and on several cable providers.

In Canada, the Canadian edition of NGC HD launched on December 19, 2006. It is available nationally via the country's two satellite services, Shaw Direct on channel 276 and Bell TV on channel 828, as well as on various digital cable systems.

In Australia this channel has been available on the Foxtel HD+ Service since July 1, 2008.

In Asia Pacific, this channel was the first channel to support 1080i HD and 5.1-channel surround sound. The channel was commercially available in Singapore via StarHub TV Channel 301 on January 18, 2007, followed by Vietnam via Vietnam Multimedia Corporation (VTC). It was also available exclusively on now TV Channel 218 on December 19, 2007 in Hong Kong. Two years later, it became available as part of the initial bouquet of HD channels on Astro B.yond in Malaysia.

In Albania, this Channel is available since 2007 on Digitalb platform; which is the biggest HD channels brodcaster in east Europe and Balkans with 14 HD channels.

In Poland, this channel is available as of mid-2007 on Cyfra Plus platform with Polish and English soundtack.

In Israel, this channel is available since late 2007 in HOT (cable) and yes (satellite).

In Slovakia, this channel is available since 2008 in digital TV product UPC Digital.

In Czech Republic, this channel is available since spring 2008 on digital cable from UPC Digital, channel 54. Both, Czech and Slovak feeds of NGC HD were transmitted directly from the UK (Sky+ HD) and came with English audio track only (DD/AC3). This was later changed and this countries now have European feed, which is expected to be localized in the Czech language in autumn 2011. Since 20. July 2011, this channel is also available in both countries in Skylink.

In Turkey, this channel is available since 2008 in digital TV product Digiturk.

In Romania, this channel is available since February 1, 2010 on digital cable (DVB-C) from UPC Romania and since June 1, 2010 from RCS-RDS.

In Latin America, this channel is a programming block on the Fox HD channel.

In Greece, this channel is available since December 22, 2010 in NOVA Greece.

In India, this channel is available since April 15, 2011. It can be viewed on DishTVAirtel digital TV,Reliance digital TV,Dish TV,SUN Direct,and TataSky, featuring 1080i & 5.1 surround sound.

In Latvia, this channel is available since October 1, 2011. It can be viewed on Lattelecom and many cabel networks.

In Iran, this channel is available since October 15, 2011. It can be viewed on W3A - 10721h - Vertical - FEC 2/4.

National Geographic Adventure

Main article: National Geographic Adventure

Nat Geo WILD

Main article: Nat Geo WILD

Nat Geo Mundo

Main article: Nat Geo Mundo

A channel for the U.S. Hispanics includes original programming for the audience. The channel launched in 2011.^[5]

See also

• National Geographic Channel (Australia)
• National Geographic Abu Dhabi
• Nat Geo Adventure Channel Australia
• National Geographic Channel (Canada)
• National Geographic Channel (UK)
• National Geographic Channel (Asia)
• National Geographic Channel (Greece)
• National Geographic Channel (South Korea)
• List of programs broadcast by National Geographic Channel
• List of DirecTV channels
• List of Dish Network channels
• List of documentary channels

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "International Geographic.". Television Business International: p. 172. October 1, 1997. 
2. ^ "NGCI launches Nat Geo Music" (Press release). National Geographic Channels (International). August 21, 2007. http://www.ngcipressroom.com/releases.aspx?id=241. Retrieved September 24, 2007. 
3. ^ Indiantelevision.com > Breaking News > NGC to launch Nat Geo Junior from January 24
4. ^ National Geographic Channel Asia Nat Geo Junior for young viewers
5. ^ "National Geographic Launches Nat Geo Mundo, New Network For Multi-Generational And Bicultural U.S. Latinos". April 4, 2011. http://www.cesarsway.com/news/appearances/National-Geographic-Launches-Nat-Geo-Mundo. Retrieved July 6, 2011. 

External links

• National Geographic Channels International
• National Geographic Channel U.S.A.
• National Geographic Channel UK
• National Geographic Channel Russia
• National Geographic Channel India
• National Geographic Channel Australia
• National Geographic Channel Netherlands
• National Geographic Channel Persian(Farsi)

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