HBO Max Rivalry Excluded from Primetime Emmy Race: A Heated Competition

HBO Max’s new show “Heated Rivalry” has been making waves, but unfortunately, it won’t be in the running for a Primetime Emmy. The show, a Canadian production, doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria set by the Television Academy for foreign television productions. Even though HBO Max acquired the show for the U.S. and Australia, it doesn’t change the Emmy eligibility rules.

The good news is that HBO Max plans to stick around as the distributor for Season 2 of “Heated Rivalry,” without getting involved creatively or financially. This means that the show’s eligibility status is likely to remain the same.

Based on Rachel Reid’s popular “Game Changers” book series, the show follows rival hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. It’s been a big hit for Crave, becoming their most successful original series debut.

While the Primetime Emmy is off the table, the show is still in the running for the Canadian Screen Awards. Only Canadian citizens or permanent residents are eligible for performance nominations according to the Academy’s 2026 TV rules. Additionally, there’s a chance the show could be considered for the International Emmy Awards.

For fans in West Hollywood, the Emmys might not be the main focus. Stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie have even been spotted around town, creating some buzz locally. As we wait for Season 2, the excitement continues to grow, regardless of what award shows it qualifies for.