Fox-backed Nat Geo Channels takes over Nat Geo programme sales

Fox-backed National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) has acquired the National Geographic Society-owned programme sales unit, National Geographic Television International (NGTI).

A spokesman said that NGTI staff will transition to NGCI although it was too early to say if there will be job losses. NGTI will cease to exist as a brand from October.

Washington-based NGCI is a joint venture between National Geographic Society-owned National Geographic Ventures (NGC) and Fox Entertainment. It said that acquiring the NGTI operation allowed it to better control the windowing of Nat Geo programming. It will take on sales of content to linear channels and to on-demand and digital platforms.

NGV will retain home entertainment and, where applicable, theatrical rights to Nat Geo content.

Ted Prince, Jr., COO, National Geographic Global Media and president, NGV said: “By putting broadcast distribution and sales under the same worldwide umbrella, we’re creating a distribution synergy that will optimize global initiatives, and allow NGV to continue to expand worldwide home entertainment and digital streaming businesses.”

It has been a period of change for NGCI. Last month former Fox Reality and Fox Look boss David Lyle was appointed CEO of the channels business.