Entertainment
Independent hockey drama Heated Rivalry becomes global streaming hit
Low-budget adaptation drew record viewership on Crave and HBO Max, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
The short version
- Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady produced the adaptation of Heated Rivalry under Accent Aigu Entertainment for around CA $3 million per episode.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- After facing worldwide acquisition offers as low as $200,000, the producers secured a territory-by-territory distribution deal with HBO.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- The series became Crave's largest original series premiere and averaged 10.6 million viewers per episode on HBO Max in the U.S.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Key facts
- Accent Aigu Entertainment was launched in 2023 by Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady following their work on Letterkenny and Shoresy.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Heated Rivalry was filmed over 36 days around Toronto and Hamilton for approximately CA $3 million per episode.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Producers turned down an initial worldwide rights offer of $200,000 before HBO agreed to territory-by-territory acquisitions.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- The show became Crave's highest-performing original debut on record and averaged 10.6 million U.S. viewers per episode on HBO Max.[The Hollywood Reporter]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- How a Sweet, Horny Hockey Show Rewrote the Rules of Independent TVThe Hollywood Reporter metered