Time Warner tapped home entertainment boss Kevin Tsujihara to lead all of Warner Bros. Entertainment, ending a years-long search.
Tsujihara is taking over from Barry Meyer as the chairman of the film and TV business, starting March 1.
The news came as a surprise to Tinseltown insiders who considered Bruce Rosenblum, who oversees Warner’s TV studio, the frontrunner.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed; who wouldn’t be?” Rosenblum said in a statement. “Warner Bros. is a unique and special place and I know it will be in good hands with Kevin at the helm.”
Tsujihara was competing not only with Rosenblum but also film boss Jeff Robinov, the president of Warner Bros. Pictures. It is unclear whether the runner-up execs will be taking on new roles.
Time Warner head honcho Jeff Bewkes set up a three-way bake-off for the top job after persuading current boss Meyer to stay on through 2013.
While Tsujihara was the dark horse candidate, it seems his knowledge of the digital media realm put him over the top.
He has led Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group as president since 2005. He oversees digital distribution, video games and emerging technology initiatives.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead this storied business,” Tsujihara said in a statement.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in the histories of Hollywood and entertainment: technology is changing the canvas we use to create theatrical releases; home entertainment is rapidly evolving; and the definition of television now includes viewing across a wide range of devices and services.”
catkinson@nypost.com