History Channel, Peyton Manning Team for G.O.A.T. Series

Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning (Image credit: NBC)

History Channel has greenlit two new series from NFL great Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, including a show focusing on all-time greats across a number of categories, the network said Wednesday.

The eight-episode, History’s Greatest of All-Time with Peyton Manning countdown show will look at the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) in categories ranging from the greatest General to the greatest inventor or President, according to the network.

Also on the docket is The Einstein Challenge, in which two world-class experts will compete to see who can best explain seriously complicated concepts to a panel of kids, including how an airplane flies or how destructive the Mt. Vesuvius eruption was, the network said. 

“We are thrilled to recruit Peyton to our team at The History Channel,” History executive VP and head of programming Eli Leher said in a statement. “To have one of the greatest in sports history educate us about the most fascinating G.O.A.T’s throughout time, coupled with him producing a smart, witty new show with kids, is unparalleled and we can’t wait to bring these new shows to our audience.”

Manning, whose Omaha Productions also produces ESPN’s Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, added that the History Channel “has long been a leader in original programming that informs and entertains audiences. As a longtime history buff, I couldn’t be more excited for Omaha to team up with great historians and producers to create these two shows that celebrate history and uncover stories in a fun way.” ■  

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.