Sean Cohan, president of Bell Media, highlights the success of 'Heated Rivalry', a key Canadian production at the Access Canada Summit.
On September 16, 2026, Sean Cohan, the president of Bell Media, revealed the successful impact of the steamy gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry during his keynote at the Access Canada Summit. This announcement was reported by The Hollywood Reporter, emphasizing how the series has propelled Bell Media onto a global stage and marked it as one of the biggest hits Canada has ever produced.
Cohan remarked that the show, now available on HBO Max in the U.S., represents a significant leap for Canadian content. He stated, "It’s the biggest global hit that Canada has ever produced," and elaborated on the strategic discussions that led to taking significant risks on this project. Cohan, who relocated from New York City to head Bell Media in late 2023, framed the entertainment industry as one that often requires calculated risks to achieve remarkable rewards.
Having assumed leadership at Bell Media after a career at A&E Networks, Cohan has navigated the unique challenges faced in the Canadian media landscape. During the summit, he discussed the impact of ongoing economic tensions between Canada and the U.S., which has increased demand for homegrown productions like Heated Rivalry and the French-language series Empathie.
Cohan expressed a desire to innovate and grow Canadian storytelling on the international stage, stating, "We should be a leader in driving the storytelling and marketing the Canadian creative brand around the world." This vision aims to elevate Canadian culture and creative talent globally while improving the position of Crave, Bell Media's streaming service.
Cohan also unveiled plans for a second season of Heated Rivalry, currently in production. Alongside this, Bell Media aims to attract homegrown stars from Hollywood, announcing partnerships with prominent figures such as Seth Rogen and Elliot Page to create new content for Crave. These alliances signify a concerted effort to enhance Canadian television and film, redefining its identity in a competitive global market.
As Cohan looks to bolster local talent and production, he also mentioned aspirations to streamline regulatory processes for the Canadian TV industry to foster a more agile environment for creators and producers.
Cohan’s statement about the success of Heated Rivalry indicates a pivotal moment for Bell Media as it strives to affirm its position in both local and international markets. By taking bold risks, Bell Media seeks to enhance its content offerings and solidify Canada's cultural presence within the global entertainment industry. This strategy resonates especially well given the current consumer appetite for diverse and authentic storytelling.
Readers can keep an eye on Bell Media's upcoming projects as it continues to develop innovative content designed to capture both local and international audiences.
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