How a gay hockey romance became a global phenomenon

“Heated Rivalry,” a TV adaption of Rachel Reid’s gay romance novel, has taken social media feeds and group chats by storm. Thanks to a deal with HBO, this Canadian TV show has been steaming up living rooms across North America, and has become one of the streamer’s most-watched shows.

The series centers on two rival hockey players, Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov, who in public are fierce competitors but in private nurture a blossoming romance.

Today on “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with Lifestyle reporter Rachel Kurzius and Style reporter Shane O’Neill to talk about the show’s depictions of gay intimacy, why this extremely steamy show has struck a chord with audiences, and what it says about our collective anxieties around sex and relationships.

Today’s show was produced by Thomas Lu. It was mixed by Sam Bair. And edited by Peter Bresnan.

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