Bell Media-owned streamer Crave has renewed Heated Rivalry for a second season after the gay ice hockey drama became the most watched original series in the Canadian platform's history.
In addition to the renewal, Warner Bros Discovery-owned streamer HBO Max has picked up the series in more territories.
In the US and Australia, HBO Max has committed to acquiring season two after previously picking up S1, which debuted at the end of November.
HBO Max has also lined up both seasons in Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, Macau, Sri Lanka and Nepal), Latin America and Europe (excluding the UK and Ireland, Spain and Turkey). Sky in New Zealand, which acquired the first season, has also picked up the second.
The deals were struck by Sphere Abacus, the UK-based distribution outfit majority owned by Bell Media. Other international platforms are expected to be announced soon, said Bell Media, including a sale to the UK.
The renewal and international sales follow critical buzz and strong ratings. The series stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands.
It is created by writer, director and producer Jacob Tierney (Letterkenny, Shoresy) and based on the book series Game Changers by Rachel Reid. Accent Aigu Entertainment produces the show in association with Crave.