National Geographic Goes Beyond a ‘Channel’

National Geographic chose the picturesque backdrop of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s skyline as seen from the One World Observatory atop One World Trade Center to celebrate a rebrand that includes dropping the word “Channel” from the 15-year old basic-cable service’s name.

Ushering in new on-air graphics and a new tagline, “Further,” network executives said “channel” was too confining to traditional linear television for a service that is reaching audiences on multiple platforms. The new name syncs with Nat Geo’s magazine and other media properties as the company continues to evolve a year after reworking its joint venture with 21st Century Fox, National Geographic Global Television Networks CEO Courteney Monroe told The Wire.

The network name change will take place on Monday, Nov. 14, when the network debuts the Ron Howard and Brian Grazer produced scripted series Mars.

Added Monroe: “What this signifies to the marketplace is the coming together officially of National Geographic, so all of the assets that were not part of the same company now feel very much part of one brand, and I think this new branding is an outgrowth of that.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.