Currently, there is no top-level domain (TLD) .BLOCKBUSTER available for registration. TLDs are one of the domains at the highest level in the hierarchical Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet according to Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The top-level domain names are installed in the root zone of the name space. For instance, in the domain name www.example.com, the top-level domain is .com (or .COM, as domain names are not case-sensitive).
Typically, TLDs fall into two categories: generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) and country-code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD). The gTLDs include .com, .net, .org, .gov, .edu, and more recently .info, .biz, among others which signify different types of organizations. For example, .gov for government agencies, .edu for educational institutions and .com for commercials. The ccTLDs consist of two-letter domains established for countries or territories (like .us for USA, .fr for France, etc.)
ICANN has commenced a new program to expand the available set of generic TLDs (gTLD expansion), allowing for more specialized or niche domain extensions. For instance, certain brands and companies do own their name-specific TLDs like .google, .amazon, etc. However, as of the date, ICANN’s TLD registry doesn’t list a .BLOCKBUSTER TLD.
The proposed TLD, .BLOCKBUSTER, would presumably be associated with the Blockbuster LLC, a provider of home movie and video game rental services. However, it doesn’t exist at this point of time. That’s not to say it couldn’t potentially exist in the future. If Blockbuster or another entity wanted to create the .BLOCKBUSTER TLD, they would have to go through a lengthy application and evaluation process with ICANN.
It’s important to note that owning a TLD isn’t quite the same as owning a domain name. Owning a TLD means controlling everything to the right of the dot. You’re the one responsible for setting the policies for that TLD, approving new domain registrations, policing for abusive or malicious activity, and more. It’s a bigger responsibility, with significantly higher costs than simply registering a domain name. Furthermore, ICANN maintains strict guidelines on who can operate a TLD.
So to reiterate, the .BLOCKBUSTER TLD doesn’t currently exist. Such a TLD could theoretically exist in the future, but it would require the coordination of ICANN, substantial planning, a significant investment, and ongoing operation to maintain.
Sources:
1. ICANN.org: About Top-Level Domains.
2. ICANN’s List of Top Level Domains.
3. ICANN’s New gTLD Program.
4. Verisign.com: About TLDs.
5. Google Registry: .google TLD.
6. ICANN.org: New TLD Application Process Overview.
7. ICANN.org: TLD Registry Maintenance.
