Gay Softball Sitcom 'Slo Pitch' Premieres September 25 on Crave

Crave, the Canadian streaming service, is set to premiere its new original comedy series, #SloPitch, on September 25, 2026. This series centers on a team of queer underdogs navigating the world of beer league softball, aiming to capture a similar audience appeal to the platform's previous international smash hit, 'Heated Rivalry.' 'Heated Rivalry,' often referred to as 'the gay hockey show,' achieved significant success upon its premiere last fall, exceeding expectations and becoming a major draw for Crave. The production of 'Heated Rivalry' was notably cost-effective, with a budget of less than $3.6 million per episode by prestige-TV standards. Its reach extended to the United States when HBO Max acquired U.S. distribution rights just nine days before the show's premiere. In the U.S., 'Heated Rivalry' became the most-watched scripted title ever acquired by the streamer from another platform, drawing an average of 10.6 million viewers per episode. The series propelled its two lead actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, from relative obscurity to stardom. The success of 'Heated Rivalry' has reportedly inspired a wave of similar projects, particularly those set on ice, such as Amazon Prime Video's 'Off Campus.' However, 'Slo Pitch' aims to differentiate itself by exploring a different sport and setting, potentially avoiding the pitfalls of direct imitation. Created by Gwenlyn Cumyn, Karen Knox, and J Stevens, 'Slo Pitch' is described as Canadian, gay, and sporty, but the creators emphasize that the similarities to 'Heated Rivalry' end there. This strategic divergence is seen as a potential advantage in a media landscape that appears to be saturated with 'Heated Rivalry' knockoffs. The industry's interpretation of 'Heated Rivalry's' success has largely focused on its central gay romance and the acclaimed performances of its leads, including its viral sex scenes. This has led to a proliferation of hockey-themed media, with many projects seemingly learning the wrong lessons from the original show's triumph. 'Slo Pitch's' creators appear to be banking on a more nuanced approach, focusing on the unique narrative potential of a queer softball team rather than simply replicating the formula of a successful sports romance. The series' premiere date of September 25, 2026, places it within a competitive fall television season, but its distinct premise and association with Crave's successful track record suggest it could carve out its own niche. The announcement was made via a post on Crave's official Twitter account, @CraveCanada, on August 26, 2026, accompanied by the hashtag #SloPitch and a promotional image featuring the tagline 'Go Beer or Go Home🍻.'