From the ancient Egyptians to the Romans through to the globalized age, the Arabic editorial desk at DW is discovering history across time. Working together with bestselling author and YouTube star John Green, DW will present 42 episodes modeled on “Crash Course World History,” a series Green developed for the US market.

To adapt the editorially and technically very demanding format for the Arabic-speaking world, DW was the first choice of Green, who together with his firm Complexly adapted the format into a smash hit on YouTube. 

Naser Schruf, head of the Arabic team at DW, is thrilled with the new show. "It's just the right format for us. In many Arab countries, there is a great hunger for education, especially among the young generation." "Crash Course Arabic" responds to this need as it provides fact-based information in a playful way. "With this format, we are also further advancing our digital strategy," Schruf continued.

"John Green gave us a lot of editorial freedom," said DW’s moderator Yasser Abumuailek, who is hosting the Arabic version. The moderation, graphics and studio setting have all been maintained from the original, with DW’s Arabic desk translating the content. In doing so, the team is also including cultural tips or adapting gags that would do well with the target audience. "We had to vary a bit in order to better reach our audience," Abumuailek explained.

Green’s series has been a huge success in the US. The YouTube format doesn’t just explain world history but it also delves into subjects including physics, culture and society. Green’s YouTube channel has seven million subscribers and his videos have been watched over 700 million times. 

John Green is excited about cooperating with DW: “The Arabic team has produced a high quality Arabic-language version of ‘Crash Course World History’ with a terrific host. We're all very excited about the potential of this series.“

Green describes his target audience as "students, teachers and learners of every kind.“ 70 percent of the original format’s audience is between the ages of 18 and 34.

A new episode of the series will be posted on DW Arabic’s YouTube channel every week.