Bell Media announced Wednesday its new hockey romance series Heated Rivalry has been picked up by major international distributors ahead of its premiere on Crave on Friday, Nov. 28.
As the primary international distributor of Bell Media’s owned distribution rights, UK-based Sphere Abacus has brokered deals for the Crave original series with HBO Max in the United States and Australia, Sky in New Zealand, and Movistar Plus+ in Spain. (Bell Media acquired a majority stake in Sphere Abacus earlier this year.)
Created by award-winning Canadian writer-director-producer Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy) and adapted from Rachel Reid’s best-selling Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry is a six-episode, one-hour romantic drama series that tells the story of rival hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey.
“What begins as a secret fling ignites into an all-consuming blaze and culminates in a powerful love story,” reads a synopsis in a Bell Media press release.
Heated Rivalry is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment, in association with Bell Media’s Crave, and stars Hudson Williams as Shane and Connor Storrie as Ilya. The cast is rounded out by François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova.
“Heated Rivalry is premium, high-caliber content that resonates with global audiences,” said Justin Stockman, vice president of content development and programming at Bell Media, in the press release. “These international sales are a testament to Accent Aigu Entertainment’s vision for Rachel Reid’s story and underscore the strength of our partnership with Sphere Abacus, and our shared commitment to bringing compelling, buzzworthy content to viewers worldwide.”
“With strong performances from its lead actors, Heated Rivalry delivers a powerful and unique narrative which our clients in all parts of the world are keen to share with their viewers,” said Jonathan Ford, managing director of Sphere Abacus. “We’re very excited about additional international sales prospects for this engaging series in the weeks to come.”
Heated Rivalry will premiere on Crave on Nov. 28, on HBO Max in the U.S. and Australia also on Nov. 28, and on Sky in New Zealand on Nov. 30. A premiere date for Movistar Plus+ in Spain has not yet been announced.
Photo of (l-r) Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie in Heated Rivalry, courtesy of Bell Media. Photo credit: Sabrina Lantos.
