Founded in 2012 by the digital media company Demand Media (now known as Leaf Group), Mandatory came into being to offer a fresh approach to men's lifestyle and entertainment content. The idea sparked when the creators realized the internet was flooded with stereotypical "frat-boy" humor sites, and they decided to create a platform that would cover pop culture and internet comedy in a smarter, more grown-up way. In 2014, Mandatory was acquired by Evolve Media, a large digital publishing network, which remains the current owner and continues to operate the site today. Today, Mandatory is mainly focused on entertainment and lifestyle news, covering a wide range of topics including movies, television, gaming, pop culture, sports, and viral internet trends. They are based in Los Angeles, California, and have made a name for themselves among college students and young adults looking for a fun, humorous take on the happenings in the entertainment world. One interesting fact: A unique fact about Mandatory is how it absorbed one of its biggest competitors. In 2018, its parent company, Evolve Media, decided to merge its massive, long-running flagship website, CraveOnline, directly into Mandatory. Because of this, Mandatory instantly acquired a huge archive of articles and millions of new readers, transforming it overnight into a massive powerhouse for pop culture and entertainment news.