The History Channel is branching out. The cabler recently launched its first Web-only series "Great and Telling Tales." The host is historian Timothy Dickinson; the series, which is animated, takes an
unorthodox look at historic events. Nancy Dubuc, History's executive vice president and GM, said the show expanded the History brand and gave viewers "the tools to dig deeper into the programs and
genres that interest them." Dickinson, who is British, punctuates his stories with wry observations. The net is producing 12 online shows.