Pakistan's Tapmad enters Bangladesh market with Grameenphone

One of Pakistan’s online video streaming or OTT platforms, tapmad, has signed a partnership with Grameenphone, one of Bangladesh’s telecommunications operators, to offer sports content in the South Asian country.

Tapmad’s sports lineup includes rights to major global events such as the English Premier League, Asia Cup, MMA, and PFL, alongside upcoming international cricket tours. Soomro noted that rights, privacy, and capital remain key barriers to entry in the OTT sector, factors that Tapmad had to navigate.

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According to a press release issued Monday, Grameenphone users in Bangladesh can now access tapmad’s catalogue of live sports and on-demand entertainment through the MyGP app, tapmad app, or the tapmad website. Subscriptions can be activated using mobile balance, with weekly and monthly packages designed for local audiences.

“This partnership is a significant step in extending tapmad’s footprint beyond Pakistan,” said Yassir Pasha, CEO of tapmad, according to the press release. “After achieving tremendous growth at home, we’re thrilled to bring our world-class streaming experience to Bangladesh.”

Ramiz Ahmed Soomro, VOD at Tapmad, told The Express Tribune, that the platform is pursuing a combination of subscriptions, strategic partnerships, and sales. “Our ad-free experience is our unique selling point,” Soomro said. “We’re sports-focused, and we see ourselves as not just a streaming company, but as promoters of sports culture in Pakistan.”

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He added that Tapmad has already produced original sports-based content, including a series aimed at revitalizing national interest in hockey, as part of its broader mission to support local sports.

In Bangladesh, only sports content is being shown right now.

Grameenphone’s Head of Digital Platform, Payment & Partnership, Zahiduz Zaman, said the collaboration supports the telecom company's push for next-generation digital experiences.

Aly Rana, COO of Tapmad, said Bangladesh is a “fast-growing market”. “Our goal is to bring an international streaming experience that feels local, built around the needs, interests, and viewing habits of Bangladeshi audiences.”

Tapmad's competition comes from platforms such as Tamashaa, Myco, and BJ Sports. Tapmad is owned by tapmad Holdings Pte. Ltd. through its operating company in Pakistan, Pi Pakistan Pvt. Ltd.

OTT platforms started in the early 2000s as high-speed internet and streaming technology took off.