India’s biggest cricket league now faces a blackout in Bangladesh. JioStar has ended its broadcast deal in the country. The company said its local partner failed to make payments on time.
The decision affects the Indian Premier League. Even if Bangladesh reviews its earlier ban, there may still be no local broadcaster for the current season.
The issue links back to tensions earlier this year. In January, Bangladesh stopped IPL broadcasts. This came after Kolkata Knight Riders dropped Mustafizur Rahman from their squad. The move followed instructions from Indian cricket authorities and added to political strain between the two countries.
JioStar confirmed the termination in a letter sent on February 17 to TSports. The deal had covered IPL rights from 2023 to 2027. The company wrote, “The agreement stands terminated with immediate effect.” It also cited “continued failure” to meet payment deadlines.
There has been no official comment from JioStar, TSports, or the sports and information ministries in Bangladesh.
The IPL is one of the richest leagues in the world. It is valued at about $18.5 billion and has a huge fan base in Bangladesh. The latest season began on March 28.
Political relations have also played a role. Ties between India and Bangladesh became tense after a political shift in Dhaka in August 2024. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina left the country after mass protests. Later, new prime minister Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh would work with its neighbours based on respect and shared interests.
In a separate move, JioStar also ended its deal for the Women’s Premier League in Bangladesh. The reason was the same. Payment defaults by the local partner.
