Indian television broadcasters are facing mounting financial pressure as Bangladesh and Nepal have defaulted on over ₹350 crore in license fee payments for carrying Indian channels. The crisis, which worsened in the past year, highlights the growing complexities where media, commerce, and diplomacy intersect in South Asia. Bangladesh: Political Instability Fuels Payment Crisis In Bangladesh, the situation deteriorated after the ouster of former President Sheikh Hasina , which ushered in political instability and regulatory uncertainty. Indian broadcasters, who provide a “clean feed” (ad-free version of their channels) to the Bangladeshi market, have not received remittance clearance from the Bank of Bangladesh for months. The country’s largest conglomerate, Beximco , with assets exceeding $1 billion, has been unable to settle dues because of regulatory restrictions. With over ₹250 crore pending , Indian broadcasters are struggling to maintain services while absorbing heavy financia...