The Great War: Redefining Factual Programming
The Great War stands as a defining case study in digital history, demonstrating how complex narratives can be adapted for new media audiences without sacrificing depth. Developed and launched by OnLion, this project reimagined the documentary genre by chronicling the history of World War One, week by week, exactly 100 years after the events took place. With over 1 million subscribers, it remains one of the most successful factual formats ever created for YouTube.
OnLion’s Innovative Format: History in Real-Time
The core of the channel’s success lies in the unique format created by OnLion. Rather than condensing four years of global conflict into a two-hour summary, the production team committed to a strictly chronological, “real-time” approach. This format allowed the audience to experience the war as it happened—capturing the confusion, the stalemate, and the sudden shifts in momentum that define the “fog of war.”
OnLion produced the first two seasons of the show, establishing the visual style, the narrative pacing, and the rigorous editorial standards that would define the channel’s legacy. This early foundation proved that long-form, serialized educational content could thrive on a platform typically known for short, viral clips.
A Monumental Feat of Storytelling
Central to the execution of this format was the host, historian Indy Neidell. In a display of immense discipline and historical expertise, Neidell singlehandedly wrote and hosted the entire four-year story of the war.
His ability to synthesize vast amounts of information into engaging weekly episodes—while maintaining the strict “100 years ago this week” timeline—gave the channel its distinctive voice. Under the format established by OnLion, Neidell brought a human face to the statistics, covering not just the Western Front, but the global scope of the war, from the icy passes of the Alps to the deserts of Mesopotamia.
Audience Impact and Legacy
The success of The Great War confirmed OnLion’s vision: that there is a massive, underserved audience for intelligent, high-quality historical content.
- Scale: The channel grew to over 1 million subscribers, a rarity for strictly educational content at the time.
- Community: The format fostered a highly engaged community, with segments like “Out of the Trenches” allowing for direct interaction between the historian and the audience.
- Influence: The project has since inspired a new genre of “week-by-week” history channels, but The Great War remains the original blueprint.
By combining traditional historical rigor with the accessibility of YouTube, OnLion created a digital archive that serves as both a compelling narrative and a comprehensive educational resource for the 21st century.
Project Highlights:
Concept: World War One history, week by week, 100 years later
Format Created By: OnLion
Production: Seasons 1 & 2 produced by OnLion
Host & Writer: Indy Neidell (Singlehandedly wrote and hosted the four-year narrative)
Key Statistic: 1+ Million Subscribers