Jeff Frost’s Bristol Circle Signs First Look Deal With ‘Heated Rivalry’ Network

The Story

Jeff Frost’s Bristol Circle Entertainment has signed a first-look development deal with Canada’s Bell Media.

The agreement with the Heated Rivalry network will see the former president of Sony Pictures Television Studios and his LA-based production banner create original scripted series for CTV and Crave and for global export.

“Bell Media’s proven profile of bold risk-taking and passion for compelling, character-driven series that captivate both Canadian and international audiences aligns perfectly with Bristol Circle’s vision and sensibilities,” Frost, chairman and CEO of Bristol Circle, said in a statement on Thursday. The American producer has Roosevelt Brown as head of development as the company’s slate of projects includes the Pluribus series.

“Jeff has spent decades identifying exceptional creative talent and developing some of TV’s most compelling stories including Breaking Bad, Outlander and most recently Pluribus. By combining Bristol Circle Entertainment’s creative pedigree, and Bell Media’s market-leading platforms, we have a distinctive advantage in creating and delivering high-quality original drama series,” Justin Stockman, vp of global content at Bell Media said in his own statement.

Bell Media also has development and production deals with other LA-based creatives, including Seth Rogen’s Point Grey Pictures, Elliot Page’s Pageboy Productions. The Canadian broadcaster, which originated the breakout gay hockey drama Heated Rivalry also on HBO Max, has deals with Celeste Parr’s Punctuation Media and Lionsgate.

Heated Rivalry has been renewed for a second season, with production set to begin this summer and targeting a spring 2027 premiere. The show focuses on two rival professional players — Canada-born Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) of the fictitious Montreal Metros and Russia-born Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) of the fictitious Boston Raiders — as they navigate a near-decade-long situationship-turned-relationship.

Original report

The Hollywood Reporter

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