CBC News

· Posted: Apr 23, 2026 3:08 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Canadian hockey romance Heated Rivalry has won a prestigious Peabody Award.

The Crave and Bell Media production, distributed by HBO Max in the U.S., became a surprise hit when it debuted in November 2025.

On Thursday, it was named one of 11 winning TV shows in the entertainment field.

In a news release, the Peabody Awards jurors said Heated Rivalry "balances complex themes of sexuality and emotional connection, inspiring fans and promoting non-toxic masculinity, ultimately making what was arguably the biggest cultural impact in television this year."

The show, created by Montreal director-screenwriter Jacob Tierney and based on a series of novels by Halifax author Rachel Reid, explores a secret gay relationship between fictional pro hockey players Shane Hollander (played by Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie).

Tierney, along with the show's official instagram account, posted an acknowledgment of the win.

"Every glance, every silence, every line crossed, this story was never simple. Honored to receive a Peabody Award for telling it the way it deserved to be told."

In response, Reid commented: "So proud of everyone who made this" and added a happy crying emoji.