Audience for Heated Rivalry Grows to 10.6 Million After Finale, According to Warner Bros. Discovery
Just over two months ago, few were familiar with Heated Rivalry. Now, it has emerged as HBO Max’s most successful acquired scripted series to date.
On Monday, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that the series has attracted over 10.6 million viewers in the U.S., more than doubling its audience since the season finale aired on December 26.
Originating from the Canadian studio Crave, Heated Rivalry was renewed for a second season shortly after its debut, which garnered more attention than anticipated. The series, a subtle exploration of a romance between two closeted gay hockey players, saw steady week-over-week growth throughout its initial season. The finale alone reached an audience four times larger than that of the premiere episode, according to Warner Bros. Discovery.
Following the show’s rising popularity, stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie have engaged in various press activities, including carrying the Olympic torch and presenting at the Golden Globes. Storrie is also set to host Saturday Night Live on February 28. These promotional efforts seem to have contributed significantly to the show’s impressive viewership numbers.
Created by Canadian writer-director Jacob Tierney, known for Letterkenny, Heated Rivalry is based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling book series Game Changers. This six-episode hourlong romantic drama centers on rival professional hockey players Shane Hollander (Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Storrie).
As two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, they navigate their ambitions and competition, all while navigating a secret relationship that evolves over eight years, challenging the boundaries of love and self-discovery in a fiercely competitive environment.
The series is distributed internationally by Sphere Abacus, a company owned by Canadian producer Sphere Media, which is also a primary distributor for programming from Bell, a stakeholder in the UK-based organization.
