If you have HBO Max or made small talk this holiday season with someone who does, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about the TV show Heated Rivalry. [1] Heated Rivalry didn’t quite crack Nielsen’s top-ten for streaming originals, but it came close. [2] And while its viewership started at roughly fifty-fifty men-women, by the finale, Heated Rivalry viewers were two-thirds female. As for specific praise, I’ve received a bevy of quotes from watchers who adore Heated Rivalry specifically. In Heated Rivalry’s finale week of December 22-28, the top three spots were occupied by Stranger Things (6,887 million minutes), Landman (1,643 million minutes), and Fallout (918 million minutes).

Source: The Guardian January 29, 2026 00:13 UTC