National Geographic Partners

National Geographic Society's relationship with 21st Century Fox goes as far back as 1997, when the original News Corporation (to which 21st Century Fox is one of the successors) launched National Geographic Channel (now simply branded as National Geographic) in Asia and Europe, in partnership with the Society. The original American version of the channel was launched in 2001. Additional National Geographic channels in other parts of the world were also launched under the original joint venture. ==History==

On September 9, 2015, the Society announced that it would reorganize its media properties and publications into a new company known as National Geographic Partners, which would be 73% owned by 21st Century Fox. This new, for-profit, corporation would own National Geographic and other magazines, as well as its affiliated television networks—most of which were already owned in joint ventures with Fox. On November 2, 2015, roughly two weeks before the closing of the expanded joint venture deal, National Geographic Networks announced the production of four feature documentaries and reentry of NatGeo back into documentaries. Soon thereafter in January 2017, the network announced National Geographic Documentary Films banner for the four features. In May 2017, the company acquired Global Adrenaline tour operator, a provider of National Geographic Expeditions for some of its land-based itineraries, which was founded in 2001 by CEO Nancy Schumacher. In New York City in October 2017, the National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey attraction opened by SPE Partners under license. SPE brought on Falcon's Creative Group, Pixomondo, Mirada Studios, and composer David Kahne for the attraction's creative aspects. Ocean Odyssey was 90 minutes timed ticketed walk-through attraction with retail space plus private event space managed by the Shubert Organization. The attraction had closed by 2021. Declan Moore was succeeded by Gary E. Knell as CEO of Nat Geo Partners in February 2018. In July, Moore reorganized the company including eliminating three top executive posts. Global network CEO would oversee a combine long and short form production company, National Geographic Studios. NG Media, as a one newsroom for content on all platforms, was formed bring digital, magazines and other short form content together. CFO Marcela Martin added the chief administrative officer (CAO) post leading the new Operating Council coordinating support functions. National Geographic Kids Books launched its fiction imprint, Under the Stars, in September 2018. A partnership with Ultimate Explorer, a Chinese company, was made for interactive entertainment spaces based on the series in China and the U.S. With its second series published in October 2019, the kids book unit launched a companion podcast. As a part of the acquisition of most 21st Century Fox assets, the Walt Disney Company took over 21CF's controlling stake in the joint venture. Following the acquisition, National Geographic Partners' television channels became part of the Walt Disney Television unit, with the president of the National Geographic Partners reporting directly to the Walt Disney Television chairman. Disney officially closed the deal on March 20, 2019. By August 2019, National Geographic Partners' non-TV operations were transferred into its Disney counterpart. ==Businesses==

NG Media NG Media is the publishing arm of the partnership and operates within Disney Publishing Worldwide National Geographic Adventure was launched in March 1999. The society's magazine group discontinued its Adventure magazine in December 2009 while attempting to continue the brand in other media like books and online. • National Geographic Kids: A version of National Geographic Magazine for children, launched in 1975 under the name National Geographic World. It has a U.S. circulation of over 1.5 million. There are also currently 18 local-language editions of NG Kids, with another half million in circulation. An Arabic edition of the children's magazine was launched in Egypt in early 2007, and more than 42,000 copies are distributed to all the public schools in Egypt, in addition to another 15,000 single copy sales. More recently, an Albanian and Polish edition were launched. • National Geographic Little Kids: For younger children aged 3–6 • National Geographic Traveler: Launched in 1984. There are 18 local-language editions of NG Traveler. • National Geographic Adventure (1998-2009) eight issue per year, had a subscription base of 625,000 In 2004, the division made a partnership with Lindblad Expeditions cruise line and white label tour operator, Global Adrenaline. In September 2013, National Geographic Society formed the National Geographic Travel group by bringing its travel assets together including National Geographic Traveler magazine, National Geographic Expeditions, its travel books, digital travel content, maps, apps and travel community. Keith Bellows, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler, was named senior vice president of the group. Bellows was the editor-in-chief until October 2014. With the appointment of his permanent replacement. A hotel marketing collection, National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, and a new independent travel planning division, Private Expeditions, were launched in January 2015. Private Expeditions incorporate in most cases one of these lodges. The initial 24 boutique hotels met collection standards for sustainability, guest experience, and property quality. Nat Geo Travel was moved in September 2015 into a joint venture, National Geographic Partners, with 21st Century Fox. Disney migrated National Geographic Travel operations into Disney Signature Experiences by August 2019. National Geographic Maps National Geographic Maps is the commercial map publishing division of National Geographic Partners, within Disney Publishing Worldwide. ==Awards==

In 2019, National Geographic's documentary Free Solo won Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards, and won the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary at the 72nd British Academy Film Awards. The film was the second-highest grossing documentary of 2018. ==References==