National Geographic Channel Launches in South Africa

Programming Features Special Focus on African Content

Isleworth National Geographic Channel is now broadcasting in the continent of Africa, reaching more than 200,000 homes in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique and Botswana.

The launch comes after one year of negotiations and has been enthusiastically greeted by the media and commercial partners, leading to a sellout of advertising in the first week of transmission. National Geographic Channel is carried on the Multichoice system in the DStv package.

Jerry Glover, Managing Director of National Geographic Channel in Europe said: “I am particularly pleased to continue our global expansion into South Africa, where National Geographic is an immensely respected brand name. We expect to be one of the top channels in the DStv package from the very beginning. I’ve worked in various capacities with Multichoice over the years, and they are one of the best-run satellite platforms in the world.”

Deon Coetzee, General Manager of marketing and sales for MultiChoice, said, “Who can question the value that National Geographic Channel adds to our bouquet. We welcome National Geographic Channel to our family of the ultimate selection in television.”

In the near future, the Channel will feature up to 40% locally produced programming, which will be shown in Southern Africa as well as National Geographic Channels globally.

National Geographic Television has a long history of making films about South Africa and working with South African filmmakers. Broadcasting in South Africa is a homecoming for the Channel.

The launch comes as the latest step in the Channel’s global expansion. National Geographic Channel recently launched a fully localized Hebrew channel in Israel.

Since its launch in September 1997, the National Geographic Channel has become one of the world’s fastest growing channels now broadcasting to over 41 million homes worldwide in 54 countries and in nine languages. The National Geographic Society is the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational institution with 10 million members worldwide. Founded in 1888 for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge, the Society reflects the world through magazines, books, maps, films, television, and interactive media, all of which are being aggressively expanded worldwide.