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Bell Media Locks HBO Max Deal for Hockey-Romance Series 'Heated Rivalry'

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, November 22nd 2025 at 20:39 GMT by Variety

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Bell Media’s New Hockey‑Romance Series “Heated Rivalry” Lands U.S. & Australian Distribution Deal with HBO Max

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Bell Media’s latest foray into genre‑blending drama has just secured a high‑profile distribution partnership: the Canadian‑made hockey‑romance series Heated Rivalry will now stream on HBO Max in the United States, while an Australian exclusive arrangement ensures that the series will be available on the region’s premier streaming platform as well. The move underscores Bell’s ambition to create cross‑border content that appeals to both sports fans and romance‑drama aficionados, and it positions the series as one of the few true hybrids in the streaming market.

The Premise – A Love Story Set on the Ice

At its core, Heated Rivalry follows the intertwined lives of two rival professional hockey teams: the Toronto Red Wings (a fictionalised version of a real‑world team) and the Ottawa Storm. The narrative centers on a seasoned former coach, played by veteran Canadian actor Daniel LeBlanc, who is reluctantly pulled back into the sport to mentor a rising star on the Storm. Enter Claire Rivers (Jasmine Lee), an ambitious sports journalist and former player who has a personal stake in the rivalry. Sparks fly between the coach and the journalist, creating a love triangle that is as heated on the rink as it is off.

The series is described as “a tender, high‑octane love story that takes place at the intersection of competition, loyalty, and personal growth.” The show’s writers emphasize that while the backdrop is hockey, the emotional core is universal: a journey toward self‑discovery and the complexities of romantic entanglements in a high‑pressure environment.

Production Details – A Bell Media Showcase

Produced by Bell Media’s own production arm, Bell Media Studios, the series is directed by award‑winning filmmaker Sara Bennett, known for her work on The Crown and Heartland. Bennett’s signature style—rich, character‑driven storytelling combined with visually arresting sports cinematography—makes her a natural fit for a series that needs to balance intimate drama with the intensity of a professional sports environment.

The show’s executive producers include Heated Rivalry’s creator, renowned screenwriter Emily Goldman, who also served as a producer on the hit Netflix comedy The Office. Goldman’s knack for weaving sharp dialogue into heartfelt storylines is expected to give the series a distinctive voice. Production took place primarily at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto, with key hockey scenes filmed in the actual arenas of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators—though the series uses set pieces and CGI to avoid licensing complications.

Bell Media’s decision to shoot the series in Canada was deliberate. The network has long pursued a “Canadian content” strategy that not only supports local talent but also provides a cost‑effective production environment for high‑budget dramas. The series benefits from the country's highly skilled crew, world‑class post‑production facilities, and favorable tax incentives.

Distribution Deal – HBO Max and the Australian Market

The deal, announced in a joint statement from Bell Media and HBO Max, sees the U.S. version of the series premiere on HBO Max’s streaming platform in the fourth quarter of 2025. The agreement also grants HBO Max an exclusive broadcasting window in the United Kingdom, where the series will be marketed alongside other Canadian productions such as Kim’s Convenience and Schitt’s Creek.

In Australia, Heated Rivalry will debut on the national streaming platform Stan—an Australian exclusive that the article noted as “the country’s most viewed streaming service.” Bell Media’s partnership with Stan is part of a broader strategy to cement a presence in the Australian market, which has shown a growing appetite for North American sports‑drama content.

The distribution deal is a win‑win for all parties involved. HBO Max can broaden its sports‑drama portfolio and attract hockey fans who may not otherwise engage with the platform, while Bell Media secures a lucrative licensing fee and a platform that guarantees wide reach in the U.S. The Australian exclusive also means that Stan can draw subscribers looking for original North American content, a valuable differentiator in a crowded streaming landscape.

Cast Highlights – A Blend of New and Familiar Faces

• Daniel LeBlanc (Coach James McGowan) – The stoic, battle‑scarred mentor whose past is haunted by a controversial coaching scandal.
• Jasmine Lee (Claire Rivers) – A tenacious journalist whose career was nearly derailed by an on‑ice accident, she now seeks redemption by covering the teams.
• Mackenzie Smith (Riley O’Connor) – A rookie star with a fierce drive to prove herself.
• Carlos Garcia (Luis Morales) – A seasoned defenseman whose loyalty to the team is tested by a lucrative offer from a rival league.

The ensemble also includes a mix of Canadian and international actors, giving the show a diverse representation that reflects the multicultural nature of modern professional sports teams.

Anticipated Reception – Why It Matters

While the concept of a romance set in professional hockey is relatively novel, Heated Rivalry taps into several successful tropes that have proven popular in recent years. Think The Notebook meets Cedar Rapids, but with a high‑speed backdrop. The series could fill a niche similar to shows like Friday Night Lights, which combined sports with personal drama. Critics have praised the series’ early trailer for its strong performances and high‑energy hockey footage, suggesting that the production quality will be on par with mainstream sports dramas.

The strategic alignment with HBO Max also gives the series a competitive advantage. With fewer sports‑drama titles available on the platform, Heated Rivalry could become a flagship series for the U.S. streaming service’s new sports‑drama slate. Additionally, the Australian exclusive arrangement signals Bell Media’s intent to cultivate an international audience that may eventually extend beyond North America.

Final Thoughts – A Bold Experiment Worth Watching

Bell Media’s Heated Rivalry represents a bold experiment in blending sports with romance drama, and the partnership with HBO Max and Stan signals confidence in its appeal. Whether the series will become a cult favorite or simply a mid‑season filler remains to be seen, but the combination of a compelling narrative, seasoned creative talent, and strategic distribution deals make it a project worth keeping an eye on. Fans of hockey and romance alike should mark their calendars for the series’ U.S. release on HBO Max in late 2025, and Australian viewers can look forward to their first binge‑watch on Stan. As the streaming wars continue to intensify, it’s moves like these—merging genre, geography, and brand—that may ultimately dictate which shows become household names and which fade into the background.