National Geographic is one of the iconic “cable” channels. But it is no longer necessary to get a cable or even satellite subscription to watch it. Read on to learn all your choices.
In a hurry? National Geographic comes with the base plans of most of the top streaming services. So all you need to do is decide what else you want in your streaming service. Here are our favorites:
- Fubo: With 150+ channels, it offers something for everyone. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
- DIRECTV STREAM: Provides everything you expect from cable with many options. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
- Sling TV: Probably the best streaming service in terms of customization with a super low price and a 50% discount on your first month!
If you can’t watch your favorite sports, TV and movies because of your location, try ExpressVPN to get access to the content you deserve. Signup now.
Table Of Contents
National Geographic is nature at its finest. With this channel, you can feel like you are on a safari without leaving your living room.
Although many people pay gobs of money to cable or satellite providers to watch Nat Geo as part of expensive bundles, there are other ways to view the documentaries that you can’t give up.
What Is National Geographic?
In the beginning, National Geographic, formerly known as National Geographic Channel, was owned by Fox Cable Networks and National Geographic Television and Film. It launched on January 7, 2001.
It has developed into a flagship channel that delivers documentaries and other non-fiction shows — mostly revolving around nature. Also, certain shows encompass topics of history and culture.
Since that time, it has branched out to include various sister networks, including Nat Geo Wild. In 2017, the Walt Disney Company bought a majority share in Nat Geo.
Throughout its years on air, National Geographic has made a lasting impact with its programming. Although this is not a channel famous for celebrity-centered sitcoms, it has attracted some big names in the industry.
For example, in 2016, Morgan Freeman hosted The Story of God. This fascinating documentary series drew great praise for the exploration of different religions and cultures.
Also, Rob Lowe brought extremely high ratings for his narration of The 90s: The Last Great Decade. In fact, 1.10 million viewers turned in to watch the show.
Shows
The key to the success of National Geographic is its non-fiction programs that range from the ordinary to the bizarre. Whether you want to see the weirdest of the wild or useful information in action, the lineup is sure to please.
- Brain Games: Who isn’t in awe of the analyzation of human cognitive abilities in real time? The series takes a unique approach to presenting the audience with various scenarios in order to explain how the human brain functions.
- Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted: You can join this famous chef as he explores some of the most remote locations on the globe. Along the way, you get an inside look at various cultures and unforgettable culinary discoveries.
- Life Below Zero: It’s bad enough when wolves and bears are your neighbors. However, it gets worse when the temperature drops to -60 degrees, and you must battle for your basic necessities. Follow resilient Alaskans who thrive in this environment.
- Locked Up Abroad: There is something fascinating about watching convicted criminals getting along behind bars. This program follows stories of people who’ve been arrested while spending time overseas.
- Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller: Documentary series that follows the flow of illicit good around the globe.
- Wicked Tuna: This is one of the longest running series on National Geographic. It is a reality TV show that follows commercial tuna fisherman in Gloucester, Massachusetts. You join their adventures as they hunt for Atlantic bluefin tuna. It is so popular, you may wish to catch Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, which is its sister series.
National Geographic Wild
Nat Geo Wild first launched in Hong Kong in January 2006. Eventually, it expanded across the world and became the first bilingual wildlife service. Programming is very similar to the wildlife and natural history shows on National Geographic.
Here are some of its popular shows:
- Cesar’s Way: This is the newest series from Cesar Millan, the well-known “Dog Whisperer.” Very similar to his past show, Milan works with dog owners who need help with pet relationships.
- The Incredible Dr Pol: Being a veterinarian is serious business. Dr Pol proves this as he treats all types of animals from big to small. Follow along as he performs emergency treatments and life-saving tasks.
- Secrets of the Zoo: Back for another season, this series gives unprecedented access to the one of the world’s biggest and most popular zoos. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Unblock Your Favorite Movies and Shows With a VPN
If you can’t watch your favorite movies and shows because of your location, a VPN will allow you to get the access you are entitled to, plus extra security and unequalled privacy. Check out our VPN Guide for everything you need to know, including our top pick ExpressVPN.
Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
Stream National Geographic
Thanks to current technology, National Geographic can be streamed through a number of services. You can ditch your long-term cable and satellite contracts. Choose one of the established streaming services that best fits your needs.
FuboTV
Although FuboTV is geared to the sports enthusiast, its 130+ base channel lineup includes a broad range of channels. For $79.99/mo, you get National Geographic as well as FX, HGTV, and the Disney Channel. If you want Nat Geo Wild, you need to upgrade with the Fubo Extra add-on ($7.99/mo), which gives you 46 more channels. Fubo allows you to try out its service with a free trial.
All FuboTV plans come with 1000 hours of cloud DVR and simultaneous streaming on up to ten devices. Our FuboTV review has complete information.
Sling TV
Sling Blue comes with 40+ live TV channels (including National Geographic) for just $40.00/mo. If you want Nat Geo Wild, you need to upgrade with the Heartland Extra for $6/mo. It adds a total of 13 channels including Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel.
The base plan comes with 50 hours of cloud DVR and streaming on up to three devices at the same time. See our Sling TV review for details.
DIRECTV STREAM
All DIRECTV STREAM plans include National Geographic and they start at $79.99/mo. If you want Nat Geo Wild, you need to upgrade to the Ultimate Plan for $119.99/mo. It includes 130+ channels including an unmatched selection of regional sports networks and 8 Starz channels. A 5-day free trial is now available for DIRECTV STREAM.
DIRECTV STREAM comes with unlimited cloud DVR as long as you sign-up online and streaming on unlimited devices at home and on the road. Read our review for more.
Get DIRECTV STREAM Free for 5 Days
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV is originally just that: the outstanding Hulu on-demand service plus 85+ live TV channels. Then they added Disney+. It’s an amazing deal for for $76.99/mo. This includes both National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild. You also get all your local channels and a broad selection of sports, news, family, and entertainment channels.
Its plan comes with unlimited cloud DVR (9 months storage) and streaming on up to 2 devices at once. Find out more in our Hulu + Live TV review.
Try Hulu + Live TV for 3 Days Free!
Vidgo
Vidgo offers a lot: well over 110 channels including ABC and Fox in select areas. And it offers a great selection of sports channels and family-friendly content including National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild. And it comes for a modest price of $69.99/mo.
One downside of Vidgo is that it does not offer a cloud DVR. But you can watch on up to three devices at once. Check out our Vidgo review.
YouTube TV
To experience 100+ top channels, including National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild, YouTube TV is worth a try. This service costs $72.99/mo for the base plan and offers a number of add-ons. See our YouTube TV review for more.
On Demand
You can also watch National Geographic shows and documentaries on-demand from a number of sources.
- Disney+: It is’nt just for the kids. You gain access to unlimited entertainment, including Nat Geo for $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Note that the service is included with Hulu + Live TV.
- Hulu: For $7.99/mo, you can enjoy Nat Geo through Hulu’s on-demand service. However, a better deal is to purchase the Hulu Bundle, which includes Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ for only $14.99/mo.
- Amazon Prime: Offers a variety of Nat Geo and Nat Geo Wild episodes. Certain shows are included for free with a Prime membership. Others will cost approximately $1.99 per full episode or $9.99 for entire seasons. See our Amazon Prime review.
Devices to Live Stream National Geographic
You can watch National Geographic on a lot more than just TVs these days. The streaming services above support the wide variety of devices in use today.
Let’s start with TV devices. All the services support Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku. Mobile devices running Android and iOS are also universally supported. So are all the major web browsers. Finally, you can cast from web browsers and mobile devices to TVs using Chromecast.
Except for DIRECTV STREAM, the services support Android TV devices. And except for Vidgo, they Samsung smart TVs. Hulu, Fubo, and Sling all support LG and VIZIO smart TVs and Xbox One gaming systems. Hulu supports the PlayStation.
Our streaming reviews contain complete lists of supported devices.
TV Everywhere allows you to use your TV provider (including all of the live TV streaming services) to watch National Geographic using the Nat Geo TV app.
Superpower Your Live TV Streaming With a VPN
You can’t beat a VPN for privacy, security, and access. We have used them for years as an important part of our streaming toolkit and we recommend ExpressVPN. Other brands worth checking out include Hotspot Shield and CyberGhost.
| i | See our VPN Buyer’s Guide for complete information on how to choose the best VPN for your needs. |
Today’s National Geographic Schedule
Here is today’s schedule in Eastern Time:
| Lost Treasures of Egypt – The Pharaohs' Megacity Archaeologists explore life and death in Ancient Egypt's metropolis, Alexandria. | |
| Lost Beasts: Unearthed – Secrets of the Terror Whale A look into how prehistoric land mammals evolved into top ocean predators. | |
| Ancient Worlds Revealed With Albert Lin – Army of the Afterlife Albert Lin explores the tomb of China's first emperor and Nan Madol in Micronesia. | |
| Lost Treasures of Egypt – The Pharaohs' Megacity Archaeologists explore life and death in Ancient Egypt's metropolis, Alexandria. | |
| Lost Beasts: Unearthed – Secrets of the Terror Whale A look into how prehistoric land mammals evolved into top ocean predators. | |
| Lost Treasures of Rome – Rome's Sunken Secrets Archaeologists find traces of a sea-battle that transformed Ancient Rome; archaeologists investigate how Rome rose to dominate the ancient world. | |
| Lost Treasures of Rome – Secrets of the Colosseum Archaeologists reveal how the Colosseum came to symbolize the might of Rome. | |
| Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color – Pearl Harbor The stories of three Black sailors, who not only miraculously survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, but also saved countless lives. | |
| Erased: WW2's Heroes of Color – D-Day Unearthing the hidden heroes of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only all-Black combat unit to fight on the D-Day beaches and helped liberate Europe. | |
| Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill Meet the Shark Ninja Wood Fire Grill, with Master Grill, BBQ Smoke, and Air Fry outdoor capabilities. Powered by electricity and flavored by real burning wood pellets, Woodfire Technology allows you to easily create rich flavor you can see and taste. | |
| Rare Gold Coins Add the First Day of Issue 2024 Ultra High Relief Saint Gaudens Winged Liberty masterpieces struck from .9999 gold and silver in flawless Specimen 70 condition. With only 299 1oz gold and 999 5oz silver examples minted, these are absolute rarities! | |
| Cindy Crawford and Ellen Pompeo share secrets Join Cindy Crawford and Ellen Pompeo as they discuss their busy lives and the breakthrough skin care discovery that keeps them looking their best. Take a trip to the stunning French countryside to see a rare French melon that defies aging. | |
| Paid Programming Paid programming. | |
| Gold 1894 Rare Coin Add the stunning 1894-S Liberty Head Double Eagle to your numismatic collection. Out of all 1894-S Liberty Head Gold Double Eagles released by the U.S. Mint, significantly less than 1% of them have been graded in Mint State 62 condition. | |
| Car Repair Secrets! Save thousands on car repairs. | |
| Looking for a Medicare plan? Tune in now! The Medicare annual election period ends on December 7th. Watch and learn about Humana Medicare Advantage plans. | |
| Locked Up Abroad – Double Crossed In The Desert Journalist Phil Cox is taken hostage in Sudan. | |
| Locked Up Abroad – Narco At Nineteen A teenage drug courier is tricked into a more dangerous job than she bargained for in Bolivia; a teen agrees to smuggle drugs from Colombia. | |
| Locked Up Abroad – Escape From Al Qaeda Photographer Matthew Schrier is kidnapped by Al Qaeda while departing Aleppo, Syria; he faces a choice between saving himself or staying with a fellow prisoner. | |
| Locked Up Abroad – Breaking Bad In Britain Sentenced to 12 years, drug dealer Pieter Tritton must find out if he has what it takes to survive in one of the worlds' most violent and corrupt penal systems. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – This Smoke's for You A shipment with over $1 million of crystal meth is found in Auckland; a Bible is used in an unholy way; a tour guide with a nicotine habit must pay up. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Dr. Feelgood A doctor with unclaimed cargo and unprescribed pills creates suspicion. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Cocaine Kid A 19-year-old is of interest after a drug dog smells illegal activity. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Cannabis Grey Zone The weight of over a dozen cameras from China raises a red flag in customs. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Framed for Meth A business trip is canceled when a man's dark past sends him back home. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Drug Dog Day A bulk shipment from Hong Kong disguises over $900k of crystal meth. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Million Dollar Meth Haul Witchcraft; suspicious lampshades; a man who may be a sex worker. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Ecstasy Grind An illegal business is busted; a scam to smuggle drugs; a unique excuse. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Meth Puzzles An Irishman arrives at the airport; a drug concealment; a spiritual healer's Pandora's box of problems. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Body Packing Bust A body packing bust; a marriage of inconvenience; NZ's most unwanted. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – MDMA Mess Rare Canadian artifacts; conflicting travel stories; a sticky situation. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Meth-leisure An irate English tourist; a strange vacation; meth-leisure wear. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Merry Methmas Bags of red flags; a family of foodies; a dubious Christmas gift. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Cocaine Cruise One of NZs biggest drug busts; a Brazilian partier; soap bottles of meth. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – Ecstasy Lights A taxi driver with a story; triple trouble for Biosecurity; ecstasy lights. | |
| Catch a Smuggler: South Pacific – MDMA Framed A hidden haul; a student's mistake; a picture worth a thousand words. | |
| Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog – Golden Transformation Cesar works with a confused Goldendoodle and a fearful pet parent. |
Wrapping Up
If you loved the original magazine version, this channel brings the best of the wild and historical stories to life. With the help of a streaming service, you can get in on the action without cable.
Although Hulu + Live TV is a top option, you can weigh the choices for yourself. Become an explorer! You can go deeper and push boundaries that only National Geographic can deliver!
Other Family and Kids Channels
Here are our list for watching related channels:
- All-Ages Kids
- Babies & Toddlers
- Preschoolers
- Tweens & Teens
- Family
- Animal Planet
- BYU TV
- Classic Reruns
- Cozi TV
- Dove Channel
- FETV
- Freeform
- Game Show Network
- getTV
- Great American Family
- Great American Faith & Living
- Hallmark Channel
- INSP
- National Geographic
- PixL
- UPtv
Ditch “Big Cable” Now – 3 Simple Steps to Cut the Cord
- Pick the right streaming service
- Get the content you deserve with the best VPN.
- Supercharge your internet provider
That’s it — you’ll save money, take back control, and enjoy TV more!
Page Updates ▼▲
-
Updated some sub-sections. Updated some section headings. Misc changes.
-
Added links to streaming services. Added buttons for streaming services. Updated some sub-sections. Image changes. Pricing updates.
-
Added VPN info. Image changes.
-
Added buttons for streaming services. Pricing updates. Misc content updates.
-
Updated some sub-sections. Image changes. Pricing updates.
-
Added sub-section. Various changes to content.
-
Added sub-section. Image changes. Additional links. Misc changes.
-
Pricing updates. Added some links. Reworded some things.
-
Added links to streaming services. More links. Misc changes to content. Reformatting.
-
States That Have Produced the Best Actors and Actresses - 09/06/2022 -
Exclusive Sports on Hulu + Live TV - 07/24/2022 -
Just How Good Is Hulu + Live TV’s Local TV Coverage? - 07/03/2022