The top-level domain (TLD) .CHANNEL is a generic TLD (gTLD), part of the New gTLD Program of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), an organization that manages all domains on the Internet. The .CHANNEL TLD was delegated to the root zone of the Domain Name System (DNS) on 25 April 2014. The registry for .CHANNEL is managed by Charleston Road Registry Inc., a subsidiary of Google.
Technical Description:
As with other gTLDs, the .CHANNEL domain is subject to specifications outlined in the relevant ICANN agreement and reserved names policy. It is a ASCII label type TLD (standard alphabet characters) and currently is stored in Latin script.
To register a .CHANNEL domain, one needs to follow the usual process of domain registration which includes: choosing a domain name, ensuring it is available by checking with the .CHANNEL registry, and then purchasing the domain from a registrar that is authorized by ICANN to sell .CHANNEL domains.
Once a domain under .CHANNEL TLD is registered, it follows the DNS protocol for resolving the domain to its corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) address. DNS servers around the world respond to browser or application requests with the IP address that hosts the requested domain. This standard process allows browsers to load the right website when a .CHANNEL domain is entered.
Usage:
The .CHANNEL domain is open to any individual, organization or business, giving them the latitude to use it for a broad range of purposes, from broadcasting channels, marketing channels, sales channels, to communication channels. This provides flexibility to content providers, media companies, marketing agencies, individual users, etc., to contextually express their online presence.
Examples:
To illustrate, Broadcasters and TV companies might use domains like www.news.channel or www.sports.channel to host their content. Similarly, an online marketing agency might use www.seo.channel to showcase their SEO offering, while a tech company may consider using domains like www.help.channel for their support forums.
There are numerous examples of companies and individuals using .CHANNEL domain to represent their business, blogs, forums and personal websites on the Internet.
Sources:
The primary source of information is the ICANN’s website (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/) and specific reference pages related to the TLD .CHANNEL. The technical aspects of how domains work are derived from multiple Internet engineering resources like the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Note: As with all TLDs, specific pricing, availability, and registration specifics may vary based on the registrar. It is advisable to refer to the specific requirements outlined by ICANN, and the particular registrar you choose to purchase the domain name from.
