(MediaBuyerPlanner) At its upfront presentation in New York, The History Channel debuted a lineup of specials and new series and said it would relaunch its website, adding more exclusive video content and features including downloads for mobile platforms and podcasts, Mediaweek writes.

The new series include Lost Worlds about a team of historical detectives who uncover forgotten civilizations; Engineering An Empire - Peter Weller hosts a CGI-enhanced recreation of historical dynasties; and Dogfights - which revisits famous 20th Century air battles. Lost and Empire will launch in the third quarter of this year, while Dogfights is slated for a fall premiere.

Also lined up for 2006, History has five long-form documentaries: the two-hour True Caribbean Pirates; a three-hour The Mayflower (Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of The Mayflower); and Inside the Volcano.

"Today, the breadth and depth of our historical programming lineup is wider and more diverse than we ever dreamed," said Dan Davids, History president. "Combine that with the addition of a dynamic new broadband content webite and we are creating brand extensions that resonate with viewers and offer new opportunities for advertisers."