The landscape of modern television is increasingly defined by its lack of borders, where a localized production in one corner of the globe can become an overnight sensation across the Atlantic. This phenomenon was perfectly exemplified by the recent success of "Heated Rivalry," a Canadian-born drama that tackled the high-stakes world of professional hockey through the lens of a clandestine queer romance. Upon its debut on HBO Max, the series defied the typical trajectory of acquired content, skyrocketing to the top of critical charts and amassing a dedicated following that rivaled the platform’s most expensive domestic originals. Yet, despite its undeniable cultural footprint and near-universal acclaim, "Heated Rivalry" has found itself caught in the rigid machinery of American television’s most prestigious institution: the Primetime Emmy Awards.
The disqualification of "Heated Rivalry" from Emmy consideration serves as a stark reminder that while the audience experience of television has become globalized, the administrative and legal frameworks governing industry accolades remain deeply rooted in traditional protectionist policies. For fans and creators of the show, the news is a significant blow, particularly as the disqualification appears likely to extend into the show’s highly anticipated second season. This exclusion highlights a complex intersection of international tax credits, production financing, and the strict eligibility criteria maintained by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS).
At the heart of the disqualification is a technicality regarding the timing and nature of U.S. financial involvement. According to the 2024-2025 Emmy rules, a production categorized as "foreign" is ineligible for consideration unless it is the product of a formal co-production. Crucially, this co-production must involve both creative and financial partnership between a U.S. entity and a foreign partner, and this agreement must be established before the cameras begin to roll. The rule exists to prevent American networks from simply buying the rights to finished foreign masterpieces and claiming them as domestic triumphs.
In the case of "Heated Rivalry," the series was fully funded and produced by Bell Media, the parent company of the Canadian streaming service Crave. While HBO Max (now rebranded under the Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella) eventually became the show’s home in the United States, their involvement was strictly as a distributor of an existing product. Because they were not "on board" as a financier or creative partner during the initial production phase of Season 1, the show fails to meet the threshold of a U.S. co-production. To the Emmy voters, "Heated Rivalry" is a foreign import, regardless of how many millions of American subscribers watched it.
This situation is not unique to "Heated Rivalry," but it is particularly poignant given the show’s status as a "surprise" hit. Often, domestic streamers will wait to see how a foreign show performs in its home market before committing to a distribution deal. While this strategy mitigates financial risk for the streamer, it inadvertently sabotages the show’s chances at the Primetime Emmys. For a show to be eligible, a platform like HBO Max would have needed to take a "leap of faith" during the development stage, investing capital and creative input before the show’s success was guaranteed.
The implications for Season 2 are equally discouraging. Industry insiders and executives, including HBO’s Casey Bloys, have indicated that the production structure for the sophomore outing remains largely unchanged. HBO Max appears content to maintain its role as a recipient and distributor rather than an active co-producer. By remaining "not involved" in the actual production of Season 2, the streamer is effectively signaling that it is comfortable with the show remaining ineligible for the highest honors in the American television industry.
From a business perspective, HBO’s stance is pragmatic, if perhaps a bit cold. The network is already an Emmy juggernaut, regularly sweeping the awards with heavy hitters like "The White Lotus," "The Last of Us," and "Hacks." In a landscape where marketing budgets are stretched thin and award campaigns can cost millions of dollars per series, HBO may see little incentive to restructure the financing of "Heated Rivalry" just to add one more contender to an already crowded field. There is a prevailing sense that even if the show were eligible, it might struggle to find oxygen in a room filled with HBO’s own high-budget tentpoles.
However, this pragmatic approach overlooks the broader cultural and industrial impact of the series. "Heated Rivalry" is based on the beloved book series by Rachel Reid, and its success is a testament to the growing appetite for nuanced, high-production-value LGBTQ+ storytelling. By failing to secure Emmy eligibility, the show loses out on more than just a trophy; it loses the industry-wide recognition that can lead to increased budgets, higher-profile talent attachments, and a more secure future in a volatile streaming market.
The delay for Season 2 adds another layer of frustration for the show’s burgeoning fanbase. Creator Jacob Tierney has been vocal about his desire to maintain the show’s quality, refusing to rush the writing process. With scripts still in the early stages and a production timeline that stretches into 2027, "Heated Rivalry" is taking a "slow-burn" approach that mirrors its central romance. While this commitment to craft is admirable—especially when contrasted with the "content mill" mentality of many streaming giants—it means the show will have to sustain its momentum for several years without the boost of an award-season narrative.
The "Heated Rivalry" situation also shines a light on the specific challenges of the Canadian television industry. Canadian productions often rely on a complex web of government grants, tax credits, and local broadcast mandates (often referred to as CanCon requirements). These regulations are designed to protect Canadian culture from being overwhelmed by the massive gravity of the American entertainment industry. However, these same rules can sometimes make it difficult to bring in U.S. co-producers early in the process, as doing so might dilute the "Canadian-ness" of the project and disqualify it from local funding. It is a delicate balancing act: a show can either be a fully Canadian production with local benefits, or a co-production with U.S. award eligibility, but rarely both without significant legal maneuvering.
As we look toward the future of global television, the "Heated Rivalry" disqualification may serve as a catalyst for change—or at least a cautionary tale. As streamers become more global in their reach, the distinction between a "foreign" show and a "domestic" show is becoming increasingly blurred. Shows like "Squid Game" have already broken through the Emmy barrier by being Netflix "Originals" from their inception, proving that the Academy is willing to honor non-English language content if the U.S. financial fingerprints are visible from the start.
The question remains whether the industry will eventually move toward a more inclusive model that recognizes quality regardless of the specific timing of a distribution deal. Until then, "Heated Rivalry" remains a king without a crown—a show that has won the hearts of viewers and the respect of critics, but remains an outsider in the halls of the Television Academy.
For the fans, the wait until 2027 will be long, but the source material provides a solid foundation for optimism. The transition from page to screen has thus far been handled with a level of care and authenticity that is rare in sports dramas. While the lack of an Emmy may be a disappointment to the "suits" and the industry statisticians, the true measure of the show’s success lies in its ability to spark conversation and represent a community that has long been sidelined in mainstream sports narratives. In the end, a "Heated Rivalry" may be disqualified from the awards, but its impact on the cultural zeitgeist remains undisputed.
As the industry continues to evolve, we may see more platforms opting for the "co-production" route earlier in the lifecycle of their acquisitions. The "Heated Rivalry" case study proves that there is immense value in foreign-developed IP, and as the competition for prestige content intensifies, the ability to secure Emmy eligibility may become a key bargaining chip in future licensing wars. For now, however, the show stands as a reminder that in the world of professional television, the rules of the game are often just as challenging as the action on the ice.