I love stating the obvious, it's the only time I'm usually sure I'm right.
I often think we are moving away from 'historical representation' in general and towards 'sensationalism'. There has been the odd comment here and there about hobby magazines being 'too heavy on the history' when it comes to articles. So the 'Deadliest Warrior' format plays to this depth of historical need.
You can add in the advertising blurbs for ranges from at least one big company, that typically says (I imagine they would use Samuel L. Jackson in voice over) "Cool troops! Buy them!" for every new release, whether they fought throughout WWII, or were raised in the last few months of it.
Let's face it the idea of massed archery mowing down droves of French
orcs knights like Legolas in LotR and limbs flying akimbo in the melee, is far more exciting than the reality.