The original American version of the channel was launched on January 7, 2001 with Laureen Ong as president and Andrew Wilk as head of programming.

[3] Additional National Geographic channels in other parts of the world were also launched under the original joint venture.

[4] In 2007, Ong was replaced by David Lyle, from the just closed Fox Reality channel, as CEO and president Howard Owens.

[3] 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.

[6] The Asian operations also oversee National Geographic TV channels in the Middle East and North Africa (except Israel).

The European operations also oversee National Geographic TV channels in Israel, Australia and New Zealand.