National Geographic is owned by Disney (the United States, NYSE: DIS), which acquired the brand on 20 March 2019 for $71.3 billion.[1][2] National Geographic was founded in 1888 in Washington, D.C. and was independent until 2019.
National Geographic has published since 1888 and is owned jointly with the non-profit National Geographic Society, with Disney holding the controlling share through the Fox acquisition. Its yellow rectangle border is among the most recognised magazine devices in the world.
Disney acquired most of Twenty-First Century Fox for about $71.3 billion in cash and stock, after outbidding Comcast. The film and television studios, National Geographic and the Star and Hulu stakes transferred; the Fox news, sports and broadcast assets were spun into the separate Fox Corporation.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of National Geographic?
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The parent company of National Geographic is Disney, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.
Is National Geographic American?
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Yes. National Geographic originated in the United States in 1888 and its owner, Disney, is also headquartered in the United States.
When did Disney buy National Geographic?
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Disney completed its acquisition of National Geographic on 20 March 2019, after announcing the deal on 14 December 2017. The deal was valued at $71.3 billion (enterprise value).
Who owned National Geographic before Disney?
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National Geographic was an independent company from its founding in 1888 in Washington, D.C. until Disney acquired it in 2019.
Is National Geographic still owned by Disney?
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Yes. As of 16 September 2026, National Geographic is still owned by Disney. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (2) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.