.radio

Status:	Proposed
country:	International
Registry Provider:	Minds + Machines
Type:	Generic
Category:	Media
More information:

radio is a new generic top level domain name (gTLD) proposed to ICANN's new gTLD expansion program.

Current Applicants

1. BRS Media, Inc. is an e-commerce media dedicated in helping traditional and interactive media companies to develop and establish their brand online through the .radio TLD. The company started its .radio TLD project in 2009. The company selected Minds + Machines to assist in its application for the .radio string with ICANN and to serve as its back-end registry service provider. George Bundy, Chairman & CEO of BRS Media confirmed that the company's application for the .radio string has been submitted to ICANN in April 2012. In a statement, he emphasized his strong commitment to administer the .radio TLD in a professional, secure and reliable manner and to promote innovation and openness within the domain name space. The company already runs the radio themed ccTLDs, .fm and .am.
2. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) application for the .radio gTLD was confirmed by Jean-Paul Philippo, President of the organization. According to him, the .radio TLD will serve the best interest of the entire radio community. He said, "The EBU's acquisition of this TLD will serve a greater good, bringing tangible benefits to radio broadcasters and listeners everywhere. Our application includes the firm, written support of the EBU's seven sister unions, representing the interests of around 50,000 radio stations with a potential reach of some 5.5 billion listeners." EBU's bid for the .radio string is supported by the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU). Its application is a Community Application.
3. Donuts (Tin Dale, LLC), one of 307 applications submitted by the company
4. Afilias

During ICANN 44 in Prague, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), one of the applicants for .radio, requested permission to become a recognized observer in ICANN's GAC. This move raised questions of conflicts of interest, given that GAC advice is to be strongly considered by the ICANN Board during application proceedings.

Fellow .radio applicant, BRS Media, sent a letter to a chair of the GAC, Heather Dryden, complaining that granting the EBU observer status would cause a conflict of interests, and requesting that the EBU withdraw its GAC application immediately in order to recuse itself from all new gTLD discussions.The EBU went on to be accepted into the GAC.

Top-Level Domain

Governmental Advisory Committee. Considers and provides advice on the activities of ICANN as they relate to concerns of governments, particularly matters where there may be an interaction between ICANN's policies and various laws and international agreements or where they may affect public policy issues (ICANN Bylaws).