"Ever since it was launched from the temple-like headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington in 1888, National Geographic magazine has illuminated the world’s hidden places and revealed its natural wonders.
On Wednesday, the iconic yellow-bordered magazine, beset by financial issues, entered its own uncharted territory. In an effort to stave off further decline, the magazine was effectively sold by its nonprofit parent organization to a for-profit venture whose principal shareholder is one of Rupert Murdoch’s global media companies.
In exchange for $725 million, the National Geographic Society passed the troubled magazine and its book, map and other media assets to a partnership headed by 21st Century Fox, the Murdoch-controlled company that owns the 20th Century Fox movie studio, the Fox television network and Fox News Channel."
Paul Farhi reports for the Washington Post September 9, 2015.
SEE ALSO:
"National Geographic Partners With 21st Century Fox In $725 Million Deal" (NPR: David Folkenflik)
"National Geographic Fans Worry About Partnership With Climate Change Skeptic Rupert Murdoch" (Washington Post: Sarah Kaplan)
"Rupert Murdoch Doesn't Understand Climate Change Basics, And That's a Problem" (Guardian)
"Deal Gives Fox Majority Stake in National Geographic Media" (AP)
"National Geographic and 21st Century Fox Expand Media Partnership" (National Geographic)
"National Geographic and Fox Form a Commercial Media Company" (New York Times)
"How Murdoch's Aussie Papers Cover Climate Change" (NPR's David Folkenflik: 4/6/2012)
"National Geographic Reshapes Itself In $725 Million Deal With 21st Century Fox" (NPR: Bill Chappell)
"Fox Says It Won’t Interfere With National Geographic’s Editorial Content" (Washingtonian)
"Fox, National Geographic Expand Partnership" (Wall St. Journal)
"National Geographic Magazine Goes For-Profit, Backed By Rupert Murdoch's Fox" (Sydney Morning Herald)
"NatGeo Gives Fox Control of Media Assets in $725 Million Deal"
Source: Wash Post, 09/10/2015