At a recent media production industry conference in Ottawa, the creators of the popular Canadian TV series “Heated Rivalry” spoke in support of the Online Streaming Act, which has been flagged as a trade issue by the United States.
Jacob Tierney, the mastermind behind “Heated Rivalry,” expressed concern about the potential consequences of losing the act, emphasizing the significance of maintaining it. The show, initially produced for Bell Media’s Crave streaming service before being acquired by HBO Max, has garnered international acclaim. Lead actors from the series have made appearances at prestigious events like the Golden Globes and Milan Fashion Week, as well as on popular U.S. late-night talk shows.
The presence of the “Heated Rivalry” team added a touch of celebrity to the Prime Time media production conference in Ottawa. Tierney discussed the requirement for major foreign streaming platforms to contribute five percent towards Canadian content, dismissing it as a minimal cost. However, these platforms are currently contesting this contribution stipulation in court.
Brendan Brady, another creative force behind the show, urged streaming platforms to embrace the opportunity to participate in the Canadian media landscape and foster healthy competition. He emphasized the potential for creating more content like “Heated Rivalry” on a global scale.
The ongoing conference occurs amidst challenges from global streaming giants against Canadian content rules imposed by the CRTC through the Online Streaming Act. This legislation was introduced to modernize broadcasting laws to encompass online platforms such as Netflix.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has raised concerns regarding the impact of the Online Streaming Act on American digital service providers. At the conference, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon assured creators that their feedback on the act is being heard and acknowledged.
The CRTC has mandated that large foreign streaming companies allocate five percent of their Canadian revenues towards supporting Canadian content creation, including local news programming. Some of these companies are contesting this directive in Federal Court, resulting in a temporary halt to the payments. Additionally, a group of major foreign streaming companies has initiated a legal challenge against a CRTC decision requiring them to disclose financial information.
Overall, the creators of “Heated Rivalry” advocate for the importance of the Online Streaming Act in supporting Canadian content and fostering a competitive media landscape.