The .tv Corporation
Provides Web identity services.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
N/A | Acquisition | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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The .tv Corporation emerged as a pivotal entity in the late 1990s internet boom, securing the exclusive rights to manage and market the ".tv" country code top-level domain (ccTLD). This domain, officially assigned to the island nation of Tuvalu, possessed immense commercial potential due to its immediate association with the television and entertainment industries. The company's business model was centered on capitalizing on this linguistic asset, marketing the domain to a global clientele of media companies, broadcasters, and content creators seeking a memorable web presence.
Established in 1998, The .tv Corporation struck a significant deal with the government of Tuvalu, agreeing to an upfront payment of $50 million for the long-term rights to administer the domain registrations. This arrangement provided Tuvalu with a substantial new source of revenue while the corporation gained a highly marketable digital asset. The firm operated as the sole registrar for .tv addresses, generating revenue by selling these domain names to individuals and businesses worldwide. Its strategy successfully transformed a small nation's ccTLD into a globally recognized and valuable piece of internet real estate.
The venture's success culminated in its acquisition by Verisign, a major player in the domain registry and internet infrastructure market. In early 2002, Verisign purchased The .tv Corporation for approximately $45 million, integrating the .tv domain into its broader portfolio of top-level domains like .com and .net. This acquisition marked the end of The .tv Corporation's run as an independent entity but solidified the .tv domain's legacy as a successful commercialization of a national digital asset.
Keywords: .tv domain, Tuvalu ccTLD, domain registrar, internet real estate, top-level domain, domain name monetization, Verisign acquisition, digital asset management, domain marketing, internet history, ccTLD commercialization, domain name industry, web address, online branding, media domains, entertainment domains, internet infrastructure, domain licensing, technology acquisition, dot tv