Pivot How did Heated Rivalry’s Producers Make Their Massive Hit?
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Feb 7, 2026 
Brendan Brady, executive producer who navigated financing and IP decisions. Jacob Tierney, creator/director known for Letterkenny, who shaped the show’s creative style. They discuss Canada’s funding advantages, making high-quality TV on a shoestring, tight shooting schedules and anti-perfection directing, plus how ownership and streaming deals changed their approach.
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Leverage Canadian Financing Structures
- Use Canadian subsidies, tax credits, and broadcaster license fees to assemble budgets.
- Brendan Brady explains this model lets producers retain IP while covering most production costs.
Producers Bet Their Own Fees
- Brendan and Jacob personally reinvested nearly all their producer fees to fill the final budget gap.
- They call that gamble crucial to getting the series made and retaining upside.
Shoot Fast, Script First
- Shoot tightly: block-shoot episodes like a single movie and finish all scripts before prep.
- Brendan Brady says this enabled six episodes in 36 days with controlled costs and humane hours.