What is .channel?
.channel entered the DNS root zone on September 15, 2014, 12 years ago. It came out of ICANN's New gTLD Program, the 2012 application round that grew the root from 22 generic TLDs to well over a thousand.
Charleston Road Registry Inc. operates a large portfolio of 46 TLDs, including .ads, .android, .app, .boo and .cal.
On the technical side, .channel is served by 5 authoritative name servers, every one of them reachable over IPv6. It is also DNSSEC-signed: the root zone carries a DS record for .channel, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP.
Same registry, other endings
45 other TLDs share this operator.
.channel FAQ
What does .channel mean?
.channel is a generic top-level domain named for the word "channel", and it's aimed at media, news & content. It doesn't belong to any country.
What is .channel used for?
.channel is mostly used for media, news & content. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .channel?
None. .channel is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .channel domain extension?
Charleston Road Registry Inc. operates .channel as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .channel created?
.channel was delegated to the DNS root zone on September 15, 2014.
Is .channel a valid domain?
Yes. .channel is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2014, so .channel addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .channel domain?
.channel names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Charleston Road Registry Inc.'s policy if you're unsure.
Is .channel DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .channel.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed April 11, 2025. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
