$375,000 was spent for bbc.com in 1999

[iDev]

In 1999 the BBC bought the domain from Boston Business Computing for $375,000.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/05/bbc_domain/

The most interesting part is that they have yet to really use it.

 

[Epic]

well they have their news site with tons of stuff on it. I'd say they're using it

 

[iDev]

Their news is actually is on http://www.bbc.co.uk. BBC.com is redirected to their main site. That is why I said that they are not really using it.

 

[scrsteven]

I'm sure they get plenty of type-in traffic to the .com

 

[iDev]

Yes they probably do get some. But their primary audience probably types in the their main address. And would that type-in traffic really be worth anything close to $350,000?

As the article states, they are now starting to explore the idea of developing content aimed an internation audience.

 

[Epic]

Their news is actually is on http://www.bbc.co.uk. BBC.com is redirected to their main site. That is why I said that they are not really using it.

yeah whenever i go to bbc i always type in .com

imagine if it wasn't redirected...they'd lose a lot of visitors

 

[DewKnight]

I type in bbc.co.uk simply because I know that is the actual URL. Just habit I guess.

 

[Oblivion.]

I type in bbc.co.uk simply because I know that is the actual URL. Just habit I guess.

I type bbc then press ctrl+enter :P alot quicker, and they'd be loosing trafic if they didn't have that domain.

 

[Epic]

wow i didn't even know control>enter did that lol

 

[Michelle]

I just have the bbc on my favourites

 

[DewKnight]

Yah I hate it when I accidentally hit shift+enter when doing a whois on a domain.. stupid shortcuts!

 

[BurninDragon08]

They are using it I guess. They have it redirected..

 

[lambda]

I type bbc then press ctrl+enter :P alot quicker, and they'd be loosing trafic if they didn't have that domain.

I didn't know this shortcut... Thank you :]

 

[LeeOwen]

Yes they probably do get some. But their primary audience probably types in the their main address. And would that type-in traffic really be worth anything close to $350,000?

As the article states, they are now starting to explore the idea of developing content aimed an internation audience.

Well it should be pay per view for international visitors, won't be though. Mugged again.

 

[IdahoFarmer]

.... Brand protection ...

 

[Banned User]

I like BBC Radio and Bloomberg real good companies lots of good information.

 

[TargetDesigns]

I suppose they want it to make sure it dont get into the wrong hands. Someone could cause major damage if they owned that Domain Name

 

[LeeOwen]

I and many other British citizens helped pay for the domain name, by force admittedly, but of the many millions of our money they waste a year, I feel it was a good move and a wise decision.

 

[dre]

i think $350k is alot more now!

 

[charbar]

.............in an imaginary situation where, for some reason the Corporation hadn't secured the name, for some reason or other - the government would slip some compulsory purchase order on it. (And make sure that they paid only reg' fee for it).
After all, the BBC is an arm of the government.