City Cast Pittsburgh logo
January 15, 2026

Why Pittsburghers Should Watch 'Heated Rivalry'

City Cast Pittsburgh

Why Pittsburghers Should Watch 'Heated Rivalry'

00:00:00
View all City Cast Pittsburgh episodes

Hockey is having a big TV moment across the country — not for the sports, but for the gay sex and queer representation on HBO Max’s new breakout series “Heated Rivalry.” The show, which has already been renewed for a second season, is based on a book series by author Rachel Reid, who says portions of its focus were inspired by an imagined rivals-to-lovers relationship between Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby and Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin. Host Megan Harris is tapping in fans across the City Cast network to talk about why this show has become such a hit and whether Pittsburghers should claim the connection.

Show some love to today's guests, City Cast Seattle creative producer Sam J. Leeds and City Cast DC senior producer Julia Karron.

Notes and references from today’s show:

  • GAY HOCKEY IS HAVING A MOMENT [City Cast Seattle]
  • 'Heated Rivalry,' the gay hockey romance taking over the internet, finds love in Pittsburgh [Post-Gazette]
  • ‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Hudson Williams Says Closeted Pro Athletes Have DMed Him [Them]

Learn more about the sponsors of this January 14th episode:

AIDS Free Pittsburgh

PA Preferred

P3R

Special Olympics

Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.

Want more Pittsburgh news? 

Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Pittsburgh

Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
April 15

12 Rules Every Pittsburgh Driver Should Know

Company is coming, and a lot of out-of-town drivers don't know how to zipper merge. But let's be honest, some of yinz don't either! Drivi...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 14

Pittsburgh's Best Bagels

It's one of our most contentious debates: Can you get a good bagel in Pittsburgh? The City Cast Pittsburgh team is entering the fray and...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 13

Free Parties, Concerts & Hidden Gems of Draft Week

The NFL Draft is taking over Pittsburgh, and even if you're not a football fan, there's still probably something up your alley. We've got...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 12

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Portland’s Considering Hiring a Night Mayor  — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Pittsburghers, what do you do when your night life starts to dwindle? Nightlife is a huge economic driver for cities, but city offices ar...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 10

Michelin Guide Proves Us Wrong! Plus, Music Crawl & Underground Park

The Michelin Guide is coming to Pittsburgh! The timing is kind of hilarious, since we just did an episode about why our city doesn't have...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 9

The 13 Best Pizza Joints in Western PA

While we have a growing number of delicious pizza joints in and around the city, our pizza scene just doesn't compare to New York — at le...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 8

Legal Weed, Raising the Minimum Wage & More High Hopes in the PA House

Pennsylvania is one of the few states with a split legislature, which makes it extra hard for a bill to become law. The Democratic-contro...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 7

Carrie Blast Furnace Mystery Solved, Hollywood Money & Space Research

Rivers of Steel finally figured out who the Carrie Blast Furnace was named after! Roman Hladio, chief reporter at NEXTpittsburgh, joins h...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 6

How Pittsburgh Became the World's Roller Coaster Capital

Kennywood's almost open, and we're not talking about your fly! The amusement park's first day of the season is April 18. To celebrate, we...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art
April 5

'Your City Could Be Better': Denver’s Bet on a Women’s Soccer Stadium — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh

Both Denver and Pittsburgh wanted, but didn't get, a WNBA team. While more and more people are embracing women’s sports, Denver is only t...

City Cast Pittsburgh podcast episode art