Scripted

Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, has secured theatrical screenings for the award-winning Crave Original series Heated Rivalry, with marathon events featuring all six episodes of its first season set to roll out across the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. The screenings will begin on 6 November in North America and the UK, as part of a worldwide celebration marking the first anniversary of the series. In the US, Regal Cinemas will lead the rollout, with screenings across more than 275 Regal locations and distribution reaching more than 650 theatres, including AMC and Cinemark. In Canada, the series will screen at Cineplex Cinemas, while UK audiences can watch it at Cineworld and Picturehouse Cinemas. Australia and New Zealand will follow from 5 December, with Madman having acquired the series for theatrical and home video release in both territories.

Hana Palmer, Executive Director, Global Distribution and Partnerships at Sphere Abacus, said: “Heated Rivalry is a global phenomenon creating a rush of social media and press activity wherever it lands. We’re very excited to give audiences the opportunity to watch the drama unfold on big screens in North America, the UK, Australia & New Zealand."
Created by award-winning writer, director and producer Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s best-selling Game Changers book series, Heated Rivalry is a six-part, one-hour romantic drama following rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment, the series follows the pair over eight years as their professional rivalry develops alongside a complicated relationship marked by ambition, secrecy, love and self-discovery.

The series has achieved significant recognition, winning 16 Canadian Screen Awards earlier this year. It also delivered Crave’s biggest series debut on record and reached number one on HBO Max in the US and Australia, Sky and NOW in the UK, and NEON in New Zealand. Season two is scheduled to premiere in 2027 on Crave, HBO Max in the US and Australia, Sky and NOW in the UK, and NEON in New Zealand.
Heated Rivalry is produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment in association with Bell Media’s Crave, with the participation of the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund. Sphere Abacus handles international distribution for the series, which is available in more than 130 countries worldwide.