Season 2 of Heated Rivalry Brings HBO Max to Crave with Exciting New Deals
EXCLUSIVE: The critically acclaimed television series Heated Rivalry will return for a second season on Canadian streaming platform Crave. This LGBTQ+ ice hockey drama continues to garner attention, with HBO Max securing U.S. and Australian rights and negotiating newly expanded deals for additional regions through distributor Sphere Abacus.
HBO Max will hold rights for Europe, excluding the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Turkey, along with territories in Asia and Latin America. Series partnerships are also confirmed with Neon/Sky New Zealand for the upcoming season. Specifically, the HBO Max agreement covers multiple Asian markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Macau, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
Heated Rivalry follows the secret romantic relationship between two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov. Since its launch, the show has quickly become a flagship series for Crave and is celebrated as one of the most significant LGBTQ+ dramas on television. The series debuted alongside a strong promotional push, with significant tracking indicating it was among a top three trending topic on social media in Canada during its premiere weekend.
The show’s popularity is reflected in impressive viewership statistics, boasting a nearly 400% increase in initial seven-day streams since its release on November 28, according to internal data from mParticle and Amazon Channels. The cultural impact continues to resonate, as social media buzz proliferates across North America and Europe, with numerous fan edits and reaction threads surfacing online. The finale is set to premiere on December 26.
International interest in the series is growing, with buyers in the UK actively seeking distribution rights. As excitement surrounding the show escalates, additional deals are anticipated in various markets.
Created by Canadian writer-director-producer Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s best-selling book series, Game Changers, the show chronicles the complex love story between Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Rozanov, portrayed by Connor Storrie. Their relationship evolves over eight years against the backdrop of professional rivalry and personal growth.
In an interview earlier this week, Williams and Storrie discussed the latest episode, “Rose.” The cast also features François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, and Dylan Walsh, among others.
“Heated Rivalry represents the very best of what Canadian creators can deliver: rich characters, compelling drama, and a world audiences want to live in,” said Justin Stockman, VP Content and Programming at Crave’s parent company. He emphasized the extraordinary audience response and the significance of international distribution.
In a joint statement, Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady expressed their gratitude for the show’s success, stating, “Being renewed for a second season so early is a true honor, and we can’t wait to bring you even more of what you love.”
The series is produced by Tierney and Brady’s Accent Aigu Entertainment in collaboration with Crave, supported by the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund. Senior production executives at Bell Media include Alison Korogyi, Sarah Fowlie, and Rachel Goldstein-Couto, among others.
International distribution is handled by Sphere Abacus, which is affiliated with Canadian producer Sphere Media and collaborates closely with Bell Media. Accent Aigu Entertainment is represented by CAA & 3 Arts, with legal counsel provided by Jayme Alter of Dentons Canada LLP.
