National Geographic Explorer (or simply Explorer) is an American documentary television series that originally premiered on Nickelodeon on April 7, 1985, after having been produced as a less costly and intensive alternative to PBS's National Geographic Specials by Pittsburgh station WQED.

The first episode ("Herculaneum: Voices from the Past") was produced by WQED and featured long-time Explorer cameraman Mark Knobil, who is the few staff members with the franchise during all 24 seasons.

[1][2] The original Explorer series ended in 2011 and then was started again in 2015 with the help of original programming president Tim Pastore, hosted by British journalist Richard Bacon,[3] with executive producers Lou Wallach, Jeff Hasler and Brian Lovett.

Each episode was made by an independent production company with a National Geographic staffer serving as an associate producer.

Local actor Bingo O'Malley was selected by Herculaneum: Voices from the Past producer Joe Seamans as host.