National Geographic Abu Dhabi is a free-to-air documentary channel that started broadcasting on July 1, 2009. It is the official Arabic language edition of the National Geographic Channel. The channel broadcasts via Arabsat Badr 6, Nilesat 102, and Nilesat 103. The channel is based in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., but is aimed to be broadcast for a pan-Arabian audience in the Middle East and North Africa. Cu
rrently, the channel is solely available in Arabic, with no possible methods of switching audio language to English or any other language. The channel features broadcasts of non-fictional, documentary series, all original National Geographic shows dubbed from English. The lineup of shows is not usually up-to-date with the original English channel. National Geographic Abu Dhabi is considered as a free alternative to the subscription variants offered and available via OSN's pay TV services. It is co-owned by the National Geographic Society/Fox International Channels & Abu Dhabi Media Company. The latter is also responsible for launching the Arabic version of the National Geographic magazine.
