Who Owns National Geographic?
National Geographic is owned by The Walt Disney Company, a publicly traded American multinational entertainment conglomerate. National Geographic operates as Disney's documentary and educational content division. Disney is headquartered in Burbank, California, USA and trades on NYSE under DIS.
Parent Company
The Walt Disney Company
Acquired
2018
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Washington, D.C., USA
Who Owns National Geographic?
- Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2018
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: DIS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| National Geographic | The Walt Disney Company | Wholly owned |
History of National Geographic
- Founded: 1888
- Founders: National Geographic Society
- Acquired by The Walt Disney Company: 2018
National Geographic was founded in 1888 as the National Geographic Society, a non-profit scientific and educational organization. The organization published National Geographic magazine, which became one of the most widely read magazines in the world, known for its stunning photography and in-depth articles about nature, science, and exploration.
Throughout the 20th century, National Geographic expanded into television with the launch of National Geographic Channel in 1997, producing award-winning documentaries and educational programming. The brand became synonymous with high-quality documentary content and scientific exploration.
In 2018, The Walt Disney Company acquired National Geographic as part of its acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets. Under Disney ownership, National Geographic has continued to produce acclaimed documentary content while expanding its presence on Disney+ and other Disney platforms.
About The Walt Disney Company
Who owns The Walt Disney Company?
Disney is a publicly traded company with no parent company and no controlling shareholder. The company trades on the NYSE under DIS. The largest shareholders are institutional investors including Vanguard and BlackRock, holding shares on behalf of their own clients.
Is Disney publicly traded?
Yes. Disney trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DIS. The company has been publicly traded since 1957 and is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
What were Disney's Q1 FY2026 results?
For Q1 fiscal 2026 (quarter ended December 27, 2025), Disney reported revenue of $26.0 billion, up 5% year over year. Streaming revenue was $5.35 billion, up 11%, with streaming earnings up over 50%. Sports segment revenue was $4.91 billion, up 1%.
Does Disney own Marvel and Star Wars?
Yes. Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, gaining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4 billion, gaining the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.
What streaming services does Disney own?
Disney owns Disney+ (flagship streaming service), Hulu (general entertainment streaming, now integrated with Disney+), ESPN+ (sports streaming), and the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming platform launched in 2025.
How many Disney theme parks are there?
Disney operates 12 theme parks across three continents: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in California; Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida; two parks at Disneyland Paris; Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan; Hong Kong Disneyland; and Shanghai Disneyland in China.
- Founded: 1923
- Headquarters: Burbank, California, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: DIS
Where Is National Geographic Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Worldwide
Brands Owned by The Walt Disney Company
- Disney+ - American subscription streaming service owned by The Walt Disney Company, provid...
- Disney - American entertainment company and core brand of The Walt Disney Company, known ...
- ESPN - American sports multimedia giant and key driver for Disney's streaming strategy,...
- Hulu - American subscription streaming media service offering on-demand video and live ...
- Lucasfilm - American film and entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known ...
- Marvel - American entertainment company owned by The Walt Disney Company, known for super...
- Pixar - American computer animation film studio owned by The Walt Disney Company, known ...
National Geographic Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Iconic brand with over 130 years of documentary and educational heritage
- +Award-winning documentary content with global recognition
- +Strong reputation for scientific accuracy and quality production
- +Access to Disney's global distribution network and resources
- +Backed by Disney's financial resources and technology infrastructure
Considerations
- -Competition from other documentary and educational content providers
- -Changing consumption patterns for documentary content
- -Pressure to maintain editorial independence while serving commercial interests
- -Dependence on hit-driven success and audience engagement
- -Balance between educational mission and commercial viability
Frequently Asked Questions About National Geographic
Where to Buy
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National Geographic on AmazonCompetitors to National Geographic
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itv | United Kingdom | 2017 | Mass Market | Global | Male | |
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 2020 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Warner Bros Discovery | USA | 2020 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Paramount Global | USA | 2021 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Amazon | USA | 2006 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Apple | USA | 2007 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
BritBox
Owned by ITV plc
Subscription streaming service offering British television programming, dramas, comedies, and entertainment content, owned by ITV plc.
HBO Max
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HBO, Warner Bros, and other Warner Bros Discovery properties.
Max
Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from HBO, Discovery, Warner Bros., and other Warner Bros. Discovery properties.
Paramount+
Owned by Paramount Global
American subscription video on-demand streaming service offering content from Paramount Global's extensive library including Paramount Pictures, CBS, MTV, and Nickelodeon.
Prime Video
Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
Subscription-based video streaming service offering movies, TV shows, and original content as part of Amazon Prime membership.
Apple TV
Owned by Apple Inc.
Digital media player and streaming service developed by Apple Inc., offering access to movies, TV shows, and original content through Apple TV+ and other streaming apps.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: National Geographic competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
The Walt Disney Company Stock Information
Jobs at The Walt Disney Company
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