What Makes ‘Heated Rivalry’ So Relatable? Insights from Leading TV and Streaming Executives
Heated Rivalry, a breakthrough series produced by Canada’s Bell Media for its Crave streaming service that has since been acquired by HBO Max, makes an immediate impact. The show’s first episode opens with a sex scene within the first seven minutes, a bold move that reflects its daring nature. Bell VP of Content Development and Programming Justin Stockman emphasized that such content choices were intended to generate conversation: “This is a spicy show. People are gonna talk about it because there’s sex.”
Stockman, alongside three senior executives from scripted programming, discussed the significance of Heated Rivalry and the dynamics of the streaming landscape at a panel held Thursday during NATPE.
Throughout the production process, Stockman maintained that the creative vision was never diluted. “There was never a thought along the lines of, ‘Let’s introduce a lot of straight characters and we’ll round this out,’” he said. Instead, the team committed to authenticity, believing that genuine representation makes the narrative more relatable: “If you really let it be the best version of that thing as supposed to be, then people will find their entry point because it’ll feel more real.”
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Suzanna Makkos, head of comedy for ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, highlighted the rapid storytelling pace as a key element in the show’s success. “I really appreciated that it was very fast. It’s like, ‘We’re at the Olympics. Now we’re in the trophy thing,’” she remarked, drawing parallels to the similarly brisk pacing of The Pitt. Makkos noted that audiences are increasingly drawn to faster narratives: “You don’t need long scenes of them ramping up.”
The adaptation of Heated Rivalry from Rachel Reid’s “Game Changers” book series has also contributed to its impact. Stockman pointed out that while the show remains “super-sanitized,” it diverges from the “really filthy” content of the original works. Reinforcing the show’s cultural relevance, HarperCollins’ parent company, News Corp., recently reported a 6% increase in book sales, attributing the boost, in part, to Heated Rivalry.
Stockman humorously noted, “I wanted to go back and listen to all the books. I’m on the first book still, and I have to turn down the volume when I’m at a red light. It’s just graphic depictions of sex, and then a little bit of plot.” He also recognized the audience for this genre, acknowledging its dismissal as mere smut while asserting that “there’s a way to elevate it and make it into a show that will have more appeal.”
Other panelists, Darren Melameth, SVP of Programming Strategy at Hallmark Media, and Robert Schildhouse, president of BritBox, noted that Heated Rivalry reflects broader trends in enhancing viewer engagement. Schildhouse remarked, “I think there’s a lot of theme here, whether it’s smut, or murder, or Christmas movies,” emphasizing the ongoing quest for content that retains audiences. He added that at BritBox, budget appears to have little correlation with viewer engagement: “We see incredible engagement on shows that cost very little.”
Stockman explained that the ability to take creative risks is often contingent on a robust corporate structure. He highlighted the “decision paralysis” that can arise in an environment focused on mergers and acquisitions. As major players like Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount engage in consolidation discussions, Stockman observed that many companies find themselves unable to make decisive moves regarding their programming strategies.
