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HBO Max's "Heated Rivalry" has become the most talked about - and most watched - series in streaming over the past few weeks. The show has already been picked up for a second season. And while under pretty much any other circumstance Episode 5 would have assured this year's season a spot among the Emmy hopefuls (and the odds), "Heated Rivalry" can't compete for an Emmy at the moment.
The Crave original gay hockey romance series has even the most diehard hockey bros watching. Straight female women appear to be the largest demographic. And, yes, the gay population is suddenly tuning into NHL games.
Viewership grew a whopping 400 percent one week after its premier in the Canada in late November. It became Crave Streaming's biggest hit ever. The show now finds itself among IMDb’s Top 250 TV shows of all time.
And in the US, the series hit number four on JustWatch’s streaming rankings its first week despite zero marketing. The Rotten Tomatoes score sits at 97 percent from critics.
But here's the rub - as things stand now, "Heated Rivalry" can't qualify for an Emmy.
From Variety:
“Heated Rivalry” is fully funded by Canadian company Bell Media, Crave’s parent company. The 2024-25 Emmy rules state that a “foreign television production is ineligible unless it is the result of a co-production (both financially and creatively) betwen U.S. and foreign partners, which precedes the start of production, and with a purpose to be shown on U.S. television.” While the Television Academy hasn’t yet released the 2025-26 rulebook, it’s unlikely any changes to this rule will be made. “Heated Rivalry” was originally set for 2026, but was then moved up by Crave with a hope to get more viewers over the holidays. It worked. But HBO Max didn’t come on until after Season 1 was finished, far too late to become a co-financier or producer — which meant it had no creative say. Instead, HBO Max serves solely as the U.S. distributor.
If submitted, the show will be eligible at the International Emmys. These recognized global TV, not U.S. shows.
Gambling911.com believes sites like BetOnline will offer odds on the International Emmys in 2026, especially if the hype surrounding "Heated Rivalry" continues.
Golden Globe Odds - 2026
BetOnline has your Golden Globe odds for 2026 - The presentation airs Sunday January 11.
Best Motion Picture – Drama
Sinners (-120)
Hamnet (+175)
It Was Just An Accident (+500)
Sentimental Value (+1000)
Frankenstein (+1400)
The Secret Agent (+1400)
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
One Battle After Another (-2500)
Marty Supreme (+700)
Bugonia (+1000)
Blue Moon (+2800)
No Other Choice (+5000)
Nouvelle Vague (+5000)
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) -500
Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value) +400
Tessa Thompson (Hedda) +1000
Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love) +1600
Julia Roberts (After The Hunt) +1600
Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby) +1600
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) -400
Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) +250
Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams) +900
Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine) +2500
Jeremy Allen White (Springsteen: DMFN) +2500
Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein) +2500
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You) -300
Emma Stone (Bugonia) +400
Cynthia Erivo (Wicked: For Good) +1000
Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee) +1000
Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue) +1200
Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another) +1200
Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme) -200
Leonardo Dicaprio (One Battle After Another) +300
Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) +500
George Clooney (Jay Kelly) +1000
Jesse Plemons (Bugonia) +1400
Lee Byung-Hun (No Other Choice) +2200
- Jordan Bach, Gambling911.com
