A+E GLOBAL MEDIA GREENLIGHTS TWO NEW DIGITAL-FIRST SERIES UNDER THE HISTORY(R) BRAND

HOSTED BY CONTENT CREATOR MICHAEL MCBRIDE (@IDEASOUP), "MISTAKES THAT MADE AMERICA" EXPLORES THE COUNTRY'S MOST UNEXPECTED INVENTIONS

SCRIPTED COMEDIC SERIES "CRACKING UP" REIMAGINES ANCIENT MARBLE BUSTS AS MODERN-DAY PODCAST HOSTS

New York, NY - March 4, 2026 - A+E Global Media today announced the greenlight of two new digital-first series that will premiere across HISTORY's digital platforms. Premiering in summer 2026, Mistakes That Made America is a witty and insightful look at the surprising blunders that reshaped culture and innovation; and Cracking Up, coming later this year, is a digital comedy series that imagines classical marble busts as podcast hosts delivering sharp commentary on modern life through the lens of ancient history.

Both series exemplify A+E Global Media's focus on engagement-first digital storytelling - content optimized for today's short-form viewing behaviors and designed to spark conversation, shareability, and deeper exploration of cultural narratives. These series will premiere simultaneously on HISTORY.com, the brand's YouTube channel and its social platforms.

Mistakes That Made America explores the unexpected accidents, mishaps, and misunderstandings that ended up changing the course of American culture. Each 8-10-minute episode blends humor with historical insight to illuminate how progress often comes from failure. Hosted by Michael McBride who is the educational content creator behind "Idea Soup," the series mixes on-camera storytelling, archival footage, sketches, and comedic asides to reveal how iconic American products and innovations were born not from perfection, but from chance. The show balances wit with substance, offering a playful yet informative journey through the nation's most consequential mistakes.

Michael McBride's "Idea Soup" is a community of 2.5 million people who love to learn fun facts, consume bite-sized history, and uncover natural phenomena. His content has reached nearly one billion views across social media channels and he is the author of How To Sound Smart At Parties: A Book Of Fun Facts And Curious Conversations. He has a deep passion for history, science, and all things that ignite a sense of wonder about the natural world and the human condition.

Cracking Up brings history into the present in a new, creative way - giving viewers bite-sized, comedic takes on the world we live in today through a historical lens. Via shareable animated shorts, the series imagines Ancient Roman marble busts as modern-day podcast hosts, drawing on centuries of perspective to reflect on issues in today's world. Across :30-:90-second episodes, our literal talking heads will use their historical insights to explore enduring topics that resonate across time - from leadership, sports, and dating to daily life and cultural change. Blending smart storytelling with a fresh visual approach, the series offers a new, expeditious way to engage with history while reinforcing its relevance in contemporary conversations.

About The HISTORY Channel(TM)

The HISTORY Channel(TM) is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based programming, The HISTORY Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. The HISTORY Channel has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for several consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex, and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For additional press materials visit the A+E Global Media Press Center at press.aegm.com.

For a deeper dive, visit history.com or follow @history on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok. The HISTORY Channel(TM) is a division of A+E Global Media (aegm.com), a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation.