HBO Max to Premiere Hockey Romance ‘Heated Rivalry’ on Nov. 28

TORONTO, Canada — Fans of Rachel Reid‘s queer hockey romance ‘Heated Rivalry‘ can celebrate as the series is set to premiere on HBO Max for audiences in the United States and Australia on Nov. 28. The show, which is based on Reid’s book series ‘Game Changers,’ will also debut on Crave in Canada on the same day.

‘Heated Rivalry’ tells the love story between two rival hockey players, Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, portrayed by Connor Storrie. The narrative explores how their fierce competition unfolds as they develop feelings for each other over time.

“Shane and Ilya are two of the biggest stars in major league hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry, and a magnetic pull neither fully understands,” according to the show’s synopsis. The series follows their journey of love, denial, and self-discovery as they grapple with the clash between their careers and their feelings.

Sphere Abacus, the show’s distributor, has secured international deals for ‘Heated Rivalry’ across multiple platforms. It will air on Sky in New Zealand starting Nov. 30 and has also been acquired by Movistar Plus+ in Spain, with a release date to be announced.

Justin Stockman, Bell Media‘s vice president of content development and programming, expressed excitement about the show’s global reach. “’Heated Rivalry’ is premium, high-caliber content that resonates with global audiences,” he said. “These international sales demonstrate our commitment to delivering compelling content to viewers worldwide.”

Jonathan Ford, managing director of Sphere Abacus, added that the series has strong narratives and performances, creating excitement for potential future sales. “We’re very excited about additional international sales prospects for this engaging series in the weeks to come,” he said.

Produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave, Jacob Tierney serves as the writer, director, and executive producer for ‘Heated Rivalry.’ The series is expected to air weekly, with episodes releasing through Dec. 26.