A local news agency and one of its directors in Russia have been fined a significant amount by a Russian court for a review they published about the popular series “Heated Rivalry,” which Russian legislators view as LGBTQ+ propaganda.
The fines, as reported by the independent Russian news outlet Mediazona and validated by CBC News, were imposed recently following the release of a review on the queer hockey series by SaratovBusinessConsulting, an entity managing an entertainment and news website.
According to a representative from the Oktyabrsky District Court in Saratov, where the incident occurred, the review included a link providing details on how to access the show. The article was posted in February but has since been removed. The court official confirmed that the fines were imposed due to the series being categorized as LGBTQ+ propaganda.
The news agency responsible for the website received a fine of 500,000 rubles, equating to over $9,000 Canadian dollars, while a director of the agency was fined 50,000 rubles, approximately $900 Canadian dollars.
“Heated Rivalry,” originally produced for Bell Media’s Crave platform and available on HBO Max in the U.S., can only be watched in Russia through a VPN or unauthorized streaming sources. Despite these limitations, the series has garnered a sizable fan base in Russia, with fan-created content and tributes circulating on social media platforms.
The review, as highlighted by Mediazona, centered on the show’s skyrocketing popularity. However, the review is no longer accessible on the website for verification.
On Kinopoisk, a Russian equivalent of the Internet Movie Database, the series has garnered a rating of 8.3 out of 10 from over 60,000 fans. “Heated Rivalry” revolves around the romantic relationship between Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov and Canadian hockey player Shane Hollander. The storyline delves into Rozanov’s apprehensions about publicly acknowledging his homosexuality and the potential consequences on his return to Russia.
Russian fans have expressed how the series resonates with them due to Rozanov’s personal struggles, as previously shared with CBC News.
Russia has implemented broad legislation banning LGBTQ+ propaganda, signed into law by President Vladimir Putin in 2022. This law prohibits the dissemination of LGBTQ+ information in the media and any content promoting what Russian lawmakers deem as “non-traditional” relationships. Consequently, books and films have been removed from circulation, including works by renowned authors such as Oscar Wilde and Haruki Murakami. Additionally, in 2024, Russia’s media regulator prohibited pirated streams of “Brokeback Mountain.”
Moreover, Russia has labeled the LGBTQ+ movement as an “extremist organization” and has convicted individuals for sharing images of the Pride flag.