National Geographic is a privately owned enterprise, headquartered in Washington, D.C., and operates as a joint venture between the National Geographic Society and Disney Entertainment, a major business segment of The Walt Disney Company. Its parent companies include National Geographic Society and Disney Linear Networks. Founded in 1888 as a scholarly journal and specializing in broadcast television and radio, the company reported $3.5B in revenue as of 2025 and employs approximately 9200 individuals. The company functions as a multimedia enterprise, scientific institution, and educational brand. The brand, which began as a scholarly journal, evolved into an international media property, managing a multi-platform ecosystem that spans print journalism, linear television networks, global expeditions, and scientific research, positioning itself as an authority on geography, nature, exploration, and popular science.
National Geographic Explorers are preparing to send microorganisms from Thailand, the United States, and Zambia to the International Space Station in summer 2027. This L³: Little Living Lab research initiative will "stress-test" the samples, exposing them to microgravity and radiation in space for 50 days to help develop climate solutions on Earth. On October 6, 2026, the National Geographic Society announced its 2026 Young Explorer cohort, selecting 20 changemakers, an increase from 15 awardees in the prior year, who bring innovation to pressing global issues. Earlier, on October 1, 2026, the National Geographic Society and De Beers Group renewed their Okavango Eternal partnership for another five years, extending a conservation initiative dedicated to protecting the Okavango River Basin across Angola, Namibia, and Botswana. This follows the June premiere of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration in Washington D.C., where Gallaudet alumni contributed to setting new standards for accessible storytelling in the museum world.
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National Geographic offers products in the media and telecoms services industry. National Geographic's product portfolio comprises of broadcast television and radio.
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National Geographic's revenues were over $1B in 2025. Caretta Research has split National Geographic's revenue into 2 different product categories, the largest of which is linear TV carriage or subscription (thematic). For full access to National Geographic's revenue breakdown subscribe to Caretta Portal.
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