The top-level domain (TLD) .TV is the Internet country code TLD for Tuvalu, a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean. This specific TLD was established in 1996 and the management rights for it were later sold to Verisign, a recognized American company specializing in domain names and internet security.
Tuvalu’s .TV domain name is special. It is one of the few country code top-level domains (ccTLD) that has been commercialized because “TV” is widely recognized as an abbreviation for television. Verisign, therefore, markets it as the ideal web address for television, video, and multimedia websites. Over the years, various entertainment and media companies have adopted the use of the .TV domain (Chmielewski, 2009). For example, Ustream, an American live-streaming company, operates its primary site as ustream.tv.
In 2001, the Government of Tuvalu signed a contract with Verisign worth approximately $50 million over a period of twelve years. This deal allowed Verisign to manage and market the .TV domain name (Government of Tuvalu, 2001). There have been different reports about the financial implications of this arrangement for Tuvalu, given that the country’s economy is relatively small. Some suggest that the deal may provide a vital source of income for the island nation (BBC, 2000).
Contrary to popular belief, the use of the .TV domain is not limited to television networks or media-related organizations. As long as one follows the registration procedures set forth by Verisign and pays the necessary fees, anyone can obtain a .TV domain. Even organizations that have no connection to Tuvalu, or to the television or media industries, have registered .TV domains. For example, Twitch, a popular live-streaming platform for gamers, has used twitch.tv as its primary web address.
According to Verisign’s Domain Name Industry Brief, as of the first quarter of 2020, approximately 1.5 million .TV domains have been registered (Verisign, 2020). This places .TV among the top 10 most popular ccTLDs worldwide, demonstrating its global reach and appeal.
In conclusion, the .TV domain was originally the ccTLD for the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. However, thanks to a combination of fortuitous naming and commercialization by Verisign, it has become one of the most prevalent domain names on the Internet, particularly among media-related websites.
Sources:
1. Chmielewski, D.C.. (2009) “.TV is the domain of choice for innovators on the Internet.”. Los Angeles Times.
2. Government of Tuvalu (2001). “VeriSign Secures Long-Term Rights to .tv Top Level Domain.“
3. BBC News (2000). “Tiny Tuvalu profits from .tv”.
4. Verisign (2020). “The Domain Name Industry Brief”.
