HBO Max Hit Heated Rivalry Shut Out Of Primetime Emmy Race

HBO Max’s newly released breakout hit, “Heated Rivalry,” won’t be eligible for Primetime Emmy consideration. The television series is a Crave Original, produced in association with Bell Media, which is owned by BCE Inc.

Under Television Academy rules, a foreign television production is only eligible for the Primetime Emmys if it is a financial and creative co-production between a U.S. partner and a foreign partner that is established before production begins.

“Heated Rivalry” was produced as a Canadian series. HBO Max acquired the Crave Original for the U.S. and Australia ahead of its Nov. 28 premiere, but that kind of distribution deal does not change Emmy eligibility under the current rules.

HBO content chief Casey Bloys has indicated that Max plans to remain the distributor for Season 2 without stepping into a creative or financial role. If that structure stays the same, the eligibility issue likely stays the same, too.

Adapted from romance novelist Rachel Reid’s best-selling “Game Changers” book series and created by Jacob Tierney, the six-episode, one-hour drama follows rival hockey stars Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). Crave has said the show became its biggest original series debut.

As a Canadian production, “Heated Rivalry” is also in the mix for the Canadian Screen Awards. The Academy’s 2026 TV rules say only Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be submitted for nomination in performance categories.

Outside the Emmy conversation, the series could also be eligible for the International Emmy Awards. The International Emmy Awards Gala is held in New York City, traditionally in November, and the 2026 competition window is already posted. The show may also end up on the radar for the 37th GLAAD Media Awards, where nominees are expected to be announced in early 2026, and the Los Angeles ceremony date is still listed as TBD.

For West Hollywood fans, the Emmy question is almost beside the point. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie have popped up locally, including a stop at Hi Tops, plus a quick crawl down Santa Monica Boulevard, as we reported in ‘Heated Rivalry’ Stars Sweep WeHo Scene. If Season 2 keeps rolling with Max only distributing, the awards math probably won’t change, but the buzz around town and the country sure has.