free.tv, china.tv, net.tv Sold by dotTV for $100,000 Each; Annual Initial Registration Fees of $100,000 Each Make Sales Amongst the Most Valuable in Domain History

Business Wire, August 21, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 21, 2000

dotTV (www.tv), the exclusive worldwide source for web addresses ending in .tv, today announced that free.tv, china.tv and net.tv have each sold for initial annual registration fees of $100,000.

With an estimated net present value of future registration fees of $2 million, the sales of free.tv, china.tv and net.tv represent 3 of the top 10 domain sales in domain history. dotTV has a hybrid pricing model where most .tv addresses are available on a first come first served basis for an initial annual registration fee of $50, while generic "dictionary" names, such as business.tv and news.tv, are available by auction.

As the Internet continues to evolve into a more visually engaging and dynamic medium, the .tv domain is rapidly emerging as the "must-have" web address. dotTV offers the only top-level domain that truly symbolizes convergence, rich media, streaming video and other broadband content. According to GreatDomains.com, the leading appraiser and marketplace for domain names, dotTV has already achieved an overall value rating second only to .com -- a clear indicator of how rapidly the .tv domain is growing in demand and recognition.

"This was really a small sum of money to pay for a company name and address that will only become more valuable -- it fit with our vision perfectly," said Ric Johnson, President of Free.tv. "The technology to combine television viewing with the Internet is here today, and dotTV is the at the forefront of this convergence. The ability to find a short, meaningful .tv domain name means that companies have a brand that is instantly recognizable around the world."

"dotTV's addresses are rapidly being embraced by companies and individuals around the world," said Lou Kerner, CEO of dotTV. "A .tv web address is the perfect online identity that symbolizes the movement towards rich media on the Internet."

dotTV announced the availability of .tv Internet addresses earlier this year, uniting "TV," the world's most recognized two letter symbol, with the World Wide Web to empower companies, organizations and individuals to create the global Internet destinations and brands of tomorrow. Leading companies from around the globe that have adopted the .tv domain name include Sega of America, Columbia TriStar International Television, Billabong, Zee TV, TVB Online, Carsey-Werner Company and over 150 leading broadcasters from around the globe, including PAX TV, TV Norge, Granada Sky, British Telecom, Globo and affiliates of all of the major U.S. broadcasting networks. Inquiries can be made at the company's web site, www.tv.

About dotTV

dotTV (www.tv) is a registrar and the exclusive worldwide registry for second-level domain names in the .tv top-level domain through an agreement with the country of Tuvalu. The company is dedicated to creating the premier top-level domain so that companies, organizations and individuals can create the Internet brands and identities of the future. dotTV has received its initial funding and support from idealab!, a leading creator of Internet businesses.