Shadows over future of television on OTT platforms in Bangladesh

As we celebrate the World Television Day, on November 21, Bangladesh’s television landscape, particularly on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, stands at a critical juncture. Once celebrated for democratizing television access, these platforms now navigate regulatory ambiguities and challenges of competitiveness that underscore a unique set of issues affecting broadcasters, content creators, and consumers.

The introduction of live TV channels on OTT platforms started with Grameenphone’s Bioscope in 2016, followed by Toffee in 2019, which claimed TV leadership by offering more than 100 channels. Robi’s Binge and Bongo joined the race in 2020. This surge signaled a shift in how viewers accessed television, especially amid rapid digitization. As linear TV migrated online, viewers found an increasingly convenient and on-demand alternative to cable services.

Their popularity, however, hit snags, like significant disruptions, primarily influenced by regulatory uncertainties. In October 2021, the Bangladesh government banned foreign TV channels to discard “dirty feeds” embedded with foreign advertisements. Channels were later allowed to resume under strict conditions: only direct, ad-free feeds were permitted.

In April 2024, OTT platforms once again halted their TV services. While local service providers cited “regulatory concerns,” no official guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) or the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC). An anonymous MoIB official claimed that OTT broadcasting of linear TV was “illegal” but did not clarify which specific regulations were breached, highlighting a void in clear, enforceable regulatory frameworks.

This pause also shed light on another issue: political influence from vested-interest groups. According to reports, some influential leaders of the Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB), leveraging Beximco’s political connections, pressured local providers to snap the OTT TV channels, suggesting that personal gains may have taken precedence over public-service obligations.

The abrupt blackout of live TV on OTT platforms reverberated across the industry. Toffee, which has publicly reported a base of over 7-10 million monthly users for its TV services, saw a user drop of over 20 per cent after these disruptions. Other platforms, likewise, faced similar setbacks, with a significant effect on their user engagement and overall revenue. The OTT industry, which was on track to grow by 15-20 per cent annually to reach 142 million users with six million paid subscriptions by 2025, may now see stunted growth.

In the light of these hurdles, the BTRC went on drafting a regulation entitled ‘The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation for Digital, Social Media and OTT Platforms 2021’. The avowed aim is to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework. However, this has yet to be finalized or implemented, leaving OTT services in regulatory limbo.

A clear and equitable regulatory structure is crucial for ensuring fair competition, consumer protection, and the industry’s sustained growth. It could help address the competing interests between OTT and traditional cable services, guiding OTT platforms to balance compliance with innovative service delivery.

Taimur Rahman, Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer of Banglalink, says linear TV on OTT platforms has become a popular medium for accessing information, education, and entertainment.

However, the inability to provide linear TV on OTT platforms due to the influence of some vested quarters poses challenges on access to free information. Regulators and stakeholders must recognize that this blockade not only limits the potential of the OTT industry but also restricts people’s freedom of choice.

“It impedes the growth of a knowledge-driven society and youth empowerment,” he says, with an urge for remedies.

“We urge the government to take the necessary steps to enable linear TV streaming on OTT platforms, considering its multifaceted benefits, including supporting a digitally advanced generation.”

As Bangladesh joins nations to celebrate the World Television Day, it’s a reminder that television’s role in our society continues to evolve. OTT platforms have democratized access to television, enabling users to access content conveniently and affordably. Yet, without supportive and transparent regulations, the growth of OTT services remains vulnerable to disruption, impacting millions of viewers and the industry’s future.

The World Television Day, thus, serves as a call to action for regulators and industry stakeholders to collaborate and clarify guidelines that protect both the viewers’ interests and the platforms’ ability to innovate. It’s only through this balance that television on OTT platforms in Bangladesh can thrive, continuing its role as a cornerstone of information, entertainment, and education in the digital age.