Gay Hockey Drama Fuels Global Canadian Success

Sean Cohan, president of Bell Media, revealed that the gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry has achieved monumental success, deeming it Canada's largest global hit. This accomplishment, Cohan stated during a recent summit, has significantly elevated Bell Media's international presence. The series' development was considered a risky endeavor by his programming team, who initially feared job loss over its unconventional subject matter.

Cohan recounted his decision to greenlight the project, emphasizing the importance of trusting creators and taking calculated risks in the TV business. Heated Rivalry, based on Rachel Reid's novels and directed by Jacob Tierney, was picked up by HBO Max in the U.S. A second season is currently in production.

Bell Media is increasingly focusing on bringing Canadian stars back to Canada to produce content for its Crave streaming service. Deals with prominent figures like Seth Rogen, Elliot Page, and Will Arnett are part of this strategy. Cohan believes this approach will establish Canada as a leader in global storytelling and marketing, reinforcing Crave's unique position among streamers.

Further international expansion includes Bell Media's majority stake acquisition in Sphere Abacus, a London-based entity formed by Sphere Media. This move aims to broaden the reach of Canadian content and creators globally. Domestically, Cohan expressed a desire for a more agile and clear regulatory environment within the Canadian TV industry.