Crave Greenlights ‘Heated Rivalry’ Season 2 with HBO Max Collaboration

Crave has officially confirmed the renewal of its popular LGBTQ+ ice hockey drama, Heated Rivalry, for a second season. The series has gained immense popularity and is celebrated as a flagship program for the Canadian streamer.

Details of the HBO Max Collaboration

This new season will see HBO Max continuing its collaboration for distribution rights in the U.S. and Australia. The partnership has expanded to include additional territories through distribution deals with Sphere Abacus. This includes rights for Europe (excluding the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Turkey), Asia, and Latin America.

Series Overview

Heated Rivalry, created by Canadian writer-director Jacob Tierney, tells the compelling story of two rival hockey players who develop a romantic relationship over several years. The series stars Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov. They navigate a complex mix of rivalry, ambition, and love throughout their careers in Major League Hockey.

Remarkable Reception and Viewership Growth

• The series debuted on November 28, attracting a viewership increase of nearly 400% in its first week.
• It has emerged as a cultural phenomenon in Canada, trending prominently on social media.
• Heated Rivalry was a top three trending topic on X during its premiere weekend.
• The season finale is set to be released on December 26.

International Expansion and Excitement

As the buzz around the show continues, more international deals are anticipated. Interest has been noted in the UK, with potential negotiations underway for distribution rights.

Critical Acclaim and Production Acknowledgments

Critics have lauded Heated Rivalry as one of the most significant LGBTQ+ shows on television. The series is produced by Tierney alongside Brendan Brady and is supported by the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund.

• Executive Producers: Jacob Tierney, Brendan Brady
• Writers: Jacob Tierney, Rachel Reid (consulting producer)
• Production Companies: Accent Aigu Entertainment, Crave

Justin Stockman, VP of Content and Programming at Crave’s parent company, Bell Media, remarked on the impressive international reception and the high-quality storytelling that the series delivers.

Continued Anticipation

The creators express gratitude for the show’s journey so far. They look forward to sharing more seasons that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.