Why .TV still not dominating the cyberspace? Do you know the answer to this question? Well if not, here's my humble opinion why.
The .TV domain extension probably the best alternative if the .com .net .org .info or .biz are no longer available for your business. The .TV is the country code assigned to Tuvalu, the registry is currently managed by Verisign with Enom partnership to sell. This is the most common abbreviation in every language, from youngster to adult.
Why other businesses is not using .TV? For one is the price tag per year to maintain a generic domain name or referred as premium domain name. Let's use Texas.TV and Florida.TV, as of writing this article they are still available to register at a premium tag price, $50K and $25K per year respectively. If you're starting a small business, you will likely get a .com for a less than $10 per year maintenance (check price at NeedName.com) instead of .TV domain name. They (registry) continue to increase the price of premium domain name. I remember checking Florida.TV for only $7K in early May of 2007 and before that I was able to registered .TV between $35-$50 per year in 2005 under Verisign management. I still own Posses.TV domain name as of this year.
I've seen many .TV domain names that reprice to $3K, 5K or even $10K per year if not renew by the current owner. What's the business logic behind the reprice of domain name registration for .TV? You beat me, just like you I'm confused and can't justify the needs to reprice an expired domain name. From my own experience, I did not renew VD.TV and Belgium.TV last year so you will expect that these domains are re-registered by now. Wrong, they are still available for you to register if you have $10K to burn per year. I've seen 2 letter .TV also reprice from $1K to $5k or $10K per year. It must be working for Verisign (or Enom) with this approach but I saw many investors backing down in .TV, some reducing their portfolio and re-invest their money to other domain extension where the renewal is under $10 only.
Don't get me wrong, I like .TV extension because of it's global market appeal. But if Verisign (or Enom) will not change their "premium" pricing soon. This business will collapse before you know it.
Here are the successful media businesses that are using .TV domain name.
TNT.TV, ComcastSportsNet.TV, MTV.TV, Justin.TV and more websites added here.
Update: See the current trends of .TV growth compare to .biz .info .us and .cn extension, courtesy by Google Trends.
you can do the same website with a com for less
I agree with you. But I can't resist the appeal of .TV domain.
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