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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHeated Rivalry became HBO Max’s number-one first-run acquired scripted series in the service’s history, according to Warner Bros. Discovery. The company reported an average of 13 million global viewers per episode in its February 26, 2026, shareholder letter. That is a specific platform-history milestone—not a claim that the Canadian hockey romance is HBO Max’s most-watched series overall.
What was the HBO Max milestone?
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Q4 2025 shareholder letter, dated February 26, 2026, described Heated Rivalry as HBO Max’s “#1 first-run acquired scripted series” and said it averaged 13 million global viewers per episode. The ranking applies to first-run acquired scripted series in the service’s history; it does not rank the show against every HBO Max title or category.
The figure is a global average per episode as reported by WBD. It is not a count of distinct people who watched the whole season, and the letter does not present it as a current, continuously updated total. WBD’s Q4 2025 shareholder letter is the primary source for the milestone.
How does the 10.6 million U.S. figure differ?
On February 9, 2026, TheWrap reported that the series had passed 10.6 million viewers in the United States to date, attributing the figure to HBO Max. TheWrap also reported that U.S. viewership had more than doubled since the finale debuted on December 26. These are separate dated audience updates, not a common measurement series.
#1 Best Overall
| Figure | Scope and measure | Reporting date and source |
|---|---|---|
| 13 million viewers per episode | Global average per episode; WBD’s platform-history milestone for first-run acquired scripted series | February 26, 2026; WBD Q4 2025 shareholder letter |
| More than 10.6 million viewers | U.S. viewers to date, as reported by TheWrap and attributed to HBO Max | February 9, 2026; TheWrap |
The numbers should not be compared as if one grew into the other: one is a global per-episode average, while the other is a U.S. cumulative-to-date figure. TheWrap’s dated report is available here.
What is Heated Rivalry about?
The Canadian series is a six-episode, one-hour romantic drama created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid’s Game Changers books. Its central characters are Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, rival hockey players whose relationship develops across the story. Bell Media describes it as a Crave Original produced with Accent Aigu Entertainment. Its series and renewal announcement identifies the format and creative team.
Rank #2
Has Season 2 been renewed?
Yes. Bell Media announced the renewal on December 12, 2025. The announcement named HBO Max in the United States and Australia and NEON in New Zealand as services with Season 2 rights commitments. It also named Sphere Abacus as distributor for Seasons 1 and 2 in Asia, Latin America and Europe, subject to exclusions: the United Kingdom and Ireland, Spain, and Turkey. The release did not announce a Season 2 premiere date.
Bell Media also said the show became Crave’s number-one original-series debut on record based on first-seven-day streams, with viewership nearly 400% higher than at premiere. Those are Bell Media’s own platform figures and characterization, not an independently audited comparison across streaming services.
Rank #3
Where can you watch it?
Availability depends on territory, and rights announcements do not guarantee that a title is in every local catalog at a given moment. Rachel Reid’s official site currently lists Crave in Canada, HBO Max in the United States and Australia, and NEON in New Zealand. Check the local service catalog before subscribing, since availability and service branding can change. See the author’s adaptation page for the destinations she lists.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What book is the series based on?
The adaptation draws on Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry, identified by publisher Harlequin as Game Changers Book 2. It is the direct fit for viewers who want to read the source novel. Harlequin’s publisher listing identifies the book and its series position.
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