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.
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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.
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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 – Secrets of the Mummy Tombs Archaeologists explore hidden tombs and find spectacular mummies. | |
| Lost Treasures of Egypt – Secrets of the Pyramids The mysteries of Tutankhamun are unlocked; archaeologists find a tomb of great importance. | |
| Lost Treasures of Egypt – Hunt for Queen Nefertiti Archaeologists unearth surprising finds on their hunt for Egypt's Queen Nefertiti. | |
| Lost Treasures of Egypt – Secrets of the Mummy Tombs Archaeologists explore hidden tombs and find spectacular mummies. | |
| Lost City of Machu Picchu An investigation into the mysterious people who built Machu Picchu, the 15th-century Inca citadel located in southern Peru. | |
| Kingdom of the Mummies – Hidden Chamber Deep beneath the Egyptian desert, archaeologists find the first fully intact funeral home. | |
| Kingdom of the Mummies – The Lone Coffin In the shadow of the world's oldest pyramids, a team of archaeologists, led by Dr. Ramadan Hussein, makes the discovery of a lifetime: a fully intact burial complex buried deep beneath the sand. | |
| Kingdom of the Mummies – The Broken Seal The team attempts to decode the mystery of an enormous sarcophagus with a broken seal. | |
| Kingdom of the Mummies – Servants of the Serpent Goddess The team uncovers a priestly tomb that points to the trail of a mysterious cult. | |
| 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. | |
| Pain Relief TV Matt's pain from his 20 year old lost limb is solved. | |
| Paid Programming Paid programming. | |
| 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. | |
| Rare Silver Coins Add the stunning Set of 25 1878 San Francisco to 1921 Philadelphia Morgan Silver Dollars graded in Mint State 63 condition to your collection. Out of all Morgan Silver Dollars produced by the US Mint, only 1.7% have survived in Mint State 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. | |
| Drain the Oceans – Pacific Shockwave How Japan dominated the Pacific during World War II, crushing the Allies. | |
| Drain the Oceans – Thai Cave Rescue A new 3D survey of the Thai cave in Tham Luang reveals how 12 boys were rescued after being trapped. | |
| Drain the Oceans – Killer U-Boats Shedding light on German U-Boats, the world's first stealth weapons. | |
| Drain the Oceans – Pearl Harbor Secrets of Pearl Harbor are revealed in wrecks of ships, subs and planes. | |
| Drain the Oceans – The Secrets of Pompeii's Dead New discoveries at Pompeii and Herculaneum reveal the identities and final moments of those trapped during the eruption of a volcano 2,000 years ago. | |
| Drain the Oceans – The Alamo Archaeologists on land and sea reveal secrets of the infamous Alamo siege. | |
| Dutch Caribbean Coastguards – Dubious Cargo An NH-90 naval helicopter intercepts a fleeing drug boat; the Metal Shark crew attempts to save undocumented migrants from a sinking boat. | |
| Dutch Caribbean Coastguards – Cocaine Up In Flames The interception of a drug boat by a Navy helicopter leads to a dangerous situation; the DASH-8 attempts to rescue two fishermen. | |
| Dutch Caribbean Coastguards – The Mysterious Drowning Man A naval vessel is involved in two thrilling interceptions of drug boats; the helicopter crew attempts a rescue of a mysterious man at sea. | |
| Dutch Caribbean Coastguards – Hiker In Distress A Coastguard naval vessel is involved in the interception of a drug boat; the crew of the helicopter is called out to perform a dangerous rescue. | |
| Dutch Caribbean Coastguards – Oil Tanker Castaways The crew of a Metal Shark investigates a tip about the possible dealing of laughing gas on a party boat; an abandoned dinghy with possible human remains is located. | |
| To Catch a Smuggler: Caribbean Coast – No Laughing Matter The helicopter crew investigates a mysterious and abandoned dinghy. | |
| Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog – Brutal Labradoodle Cesar rehabs an aggressive Labradoodle with an alarming history of biting. |
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
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