.tv Domain and Sinking Tuvalu: Will the TV Domain Survive?

The tv domain (.tv) is the country code domain of Tuvalu, a tiny Pacific island nation threatened by rising seas. Years ago, when I tried to register a .tv name at GoDaddy, the page even reminded buyers that Tuvalu is sinking. This article explains what .tv is, who runs it today, and what could happen to it if Tuvalu goes under water.

Quick answer: .tv belongs to Tuvalu but is marketed worldwide for video and streaming sites. GoDaddy Registry has run it since a 2021 deal that pays Tuvalu’s government about $10 million a year. Sea-level rise threatens Tuvalu, but country domains don’t vanish automatically, so existing .tv names are not in immediate danger.

The GoDaddy note that started this post

When I tried to register a .tv domain name at GoDaddy back in 2009, this note popped up as one of the reasons to choose .tv:

It reminded buyers about a sinking Tuvalu. I was confused: did they want people to register .tv to support Tuvalu, or were they warning us about what happens to .tv if Tuvalu sinks one day?

About Tuvalu

Tuvalu (external site) is a Polynesian island nation in the Pacific Ocean and one of the smallest countries in the world:

• Population: 10,643 at the December 2022 census.
• Land area: about 26 square kilometres (10 sq mi).
• Highest point: only about 4.6 metres above sea level.

Because the islands are so low, sea-level rise caused by climate change threatens Tuvalu’s long-term future. In November 2023, Tuvalu signed the Falepili Union treaty with Australia, which includes a pathway for 280 Tuvaluans to migrate to Australia each year.

How the tv domain became a global brand

Every country has a two-letter domain, and Tuvalu got lucky with “tv”. The extension is sold worldwide to video, streaming and media sites. The best-known example is Twitch (external site), which Amazon bought in 2014 for about $1 billion.

Money from .tv matters a lot to Tuvalu. By 2019, about 8.4% of the government’s revenue came from .tv royalties. In December 2021, Tuvalu signed a contract with GoDaddy to manage .tv registrations, with yearly payments to the government of $10 million. Before that, VeriSign ran the registry.

Who should use a .tv domain in 2026?

• Video creators, streamers and channels that want a short, memorable name.
• Media brands that use .tv alongside their main .com.
• Anyone who likes the idea that their domain fee helps support a small island nation.

Before you buy, compare renewal prices across registrars and follow our tips to manage domain names like a pro.

Will .tv disappear if Tuvalu sinks?

Not automatically. Back in 2009, a VeriSign spokesman pointed out in a USA Today column that a defunct country’s domain can live on. The .su domain of the Soviet Union, for example, is still in use decades after the country ended.

The column also noted the argument, made by Tuvaluan leaders, that Tuvalu would remain a country even if its land went under water. ICANN has said a country code domain becomes eligible for retirement if the country code itself is removed, whatever the reason. So the real risk to .tv is a change in Tuvalu’s status as a country, not the water level on its own.

FAQ

What country does the .tv domain belong to?

Tuvalu, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean. TV is its two-letter country code.

Who runs .tv domains now?

GoDaddy Registry manages .tv under a contract signed with the government of Tuvalu in December 2021.

Does Tuvalu earn money from .tv?

Yes. The 2021 GoDaddy deal pays Tuvalu’s government $10 million a year, and .tv royalties are a major source of government revenue.

Is it safe to register a .tv domain?

Yes. Country domains don’t end just because of sea-level rise, and even the old .su domain still works. As with any domain, keep auto-renew on and your contact details up to date.