International DMB Advancement Group (IDAG) has added another six broadcasters, bringing the number up to 13 members from 11 countries in Europe and Asia and significantly increasing MiniTV coverage.

IDAG was formed to help create a bigger market across many countries for MiniTV receivers by focusing on content, services and business models. The MiniTV technology enables users to have freedom of choice when it comes to TV programmes and receivers. This lack has restrained other services in the past but is a major aim for IDAG.

The group met during an IBC conference in Amsterdam and decided to accept six new members from five countries. IDAG is currently in talks with major handset manufacturers, mobile network operators and pay service technology vendors to enhance the current free-to-air services and expand the offerings. MiniTV services launched by IDAG members will cover a population of more than 120 million people by the end of 2010, and a lot more when known plans in a number of countries are executed.

MiniTV is broadcasted TV and radio plus additional services to all kind of portable devices (such as navigation units, PMPs, mobile phones, USB sticks, and so on). Functionalities like on demand content, interactive shopping, live traffic information, personalised advertising and voting in TV shows, are supported by certain receivers. MiniTV uses a distribution technology called DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting which includes DAB, Digital Audio Broadcasting, and DAB+) and has already been launched in Norway where six TV channels and 15 radio channels are on offer for free. MiniTV is also being tested in some IDAG countries while others are launching in the very near future. More companies are expected to join IDAG next year as DMB is gaining popularity around the globe as a cost effective, flexible and robust technology.