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National Geographic (American TV channel)

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For other uses, see National Geographic (American TV channel) (disambiguation).
National Geographic Channel
Ownership
OwnerNational Geographic Television & Film (50%)
News Corporation (50%)

National Geographic Channel, also commercially abbreviated 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 involving nature, science, culture, and history.

Overview

In September 1997, the world's first National Geographic Channel launched in 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, are seen in more than 160 million homes and in 25 languages.

In the United States, National Geographic Channel, launched in January 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 is owned by Alliance Atlantis and National Geographic Channel USA, while the European versions are operated in partnership with Fox's sister company, British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB). 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 Tiscali TV in the UK, Sky Digital, UPC, Magnet Networks, SCTV in the Republic of Ireland and Skjarin in Iceland.

In Asia-Pacific area National Geographic Channel is available in over 56 million homes[1] (2008).

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.

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. Also a block programmed in Asia.[3][4]

National Geographic Channel HD

National Geographic Channel HD in the USA is a 1080i high definition simulcast of the National Geographic Channel. It launched in January 2006. It is available nationwide on satellite providers DirecTV and Dish Network and on several cable providers.

In Canada, the Canadian edition of National Geographic Channel 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 the UK, it is available on Sky Digital and launched in February 2006. The UK version is not a simulcast and has a separate schedule to the Standard Definition version of the National Geographic Channel. It is broadcast on EPG channel 543. In the UK , some of the content is shown from Rush HD

In Australia National Geograhpic Channel HD has available on the Foxtel HD+ Service since July 1, 2008.

In Asia Pacific, National Geographic Channel HD 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 Vietbao CATV on October 29, 2007. It was also available exclusively on now TV Channel 218 on December 19, 2007 in Hong Kong.

In Poland, this channel is available as of mid-2007 on Cyfra Plus platform; however, only with the Polish soundtrack.

In Slovakia, NGC HD is available since 2008 in digital TV product UPC Digital.

In Czech Republic, NGC HD is available since spring 2008 on digital cable from UPC Digital, channel 54. Both, Czech and Slovak feeds of NGC HD are transmitted directly from the UK (Sky+ HD) and come with english audio track only (DD/AC3)

In Latin America, NGHD is a programing block on the Fox HD channel

National Geographic Adventure

Main article: National Geographic Adventure

National Geographic Wild

Main article: National Geographic Wild

Competitors

References

  1. ^ "National Geographic to open first Asian retail store at Vivo City, Singapore". CozyCot. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  2. ^ "NGCI launches Nat Geo Music" (Press release). National Geographic Channels (International). 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2007-09-24. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Indiantelevision.com > Breaking News > NGC to launch Nat Geo Junior from 24 January
  4. ^ National Geographic Channel Asia Nat Geo Junior for young viewers

See also

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