History of the TLD .media

The .media top‑level domain (TLD) is a generic TLD created through ICANN’s New gTLD Program. It was delegated to Donuts Inc. in 2014 and has been publicly available for registration since that year. The TLD was intended to provide a dedicated namespace for media‑related entities.

Main Use and Industry Position

.media is used by individuals, organisations, and businesses involved in media production, distribution, publishing, entertainment, and communications. It serves digital and traditional media brands, studios, content creators, news outlets, broadcasters, and creative professionals who want a domain that directly reflects their media focus.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared to legacy TLDs like .com or .net, .media offers a clear thematic association with the media industry. Unlike very broad TLDs, .media targets a specific vertical, which can strengthen branding for media organisations. It is more specialised than generic TLDs like .online or .info, but not restricted by eligibility criteria, making it accessible for any registrant.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Direct and relevant branding for media and creative industries
  

• Open registration without special restrictions
  

• Helps signal industry focus to visitors
  

Cons

• Less universal recognition compared with .com or .net
  

• Potential email or deliverability perception issues compared with legacy TLDs
  

• May seem less authoritative for non‑media use cases
  
  

Registration Criteria

Registration of a .media domain is open to any individual or organisation without specific eligibility requirements. Registrants can secure names on a first‑come, first‑served basis through accredited registrars.

Summary

.media is a generic top‑level domain introduced in 2014 and managed by Donuts Inc. It targets media, content, and communications sectors, offering a meaningful namespace for entities in media industries. The extension is available for public registration and has no strict registration restrictions, making it a flexible choice for media brands and creators.