NBC’s Harbert adds to duties. Lights-out quarter for CBS.
After the coffee. Before trying to find a hardware store.
The Skinny: It was a tough choice but I decided to go with the season finale of FX’s “The Americans” last night instead of ABC’s “Nashville,” which I recorded for later. Let this be a lesson to you, ABC. If you put reruns on for a few weeks in a row, you lose momentum and viewers go elsewhere. Thursday’s headlines include the opening of “Iron Man 3” in China and some big executive shifts. Also, will a new gun law in New York make shooting movies and TV shows there a challenge? If you are interested in receiving an email alert when the Morning Fix is live please send me a note.
Daily Dose: Sorry cord-cutters, HBO has no plans to offer its service via broadband on a standalone basis. Speaking to analysts Wednesday, Time Warner Chief Executive Jeff Bewkes (who used to run HBO before being promoted up) said it does not make financial sense to sell access to its online service, HBO Go, separately from other cable TV packages. He didn’t rule it out down the road but for now there is not enough demand to make it worthwhile for HBO to alienate its cable and satellite TV partners.
Not impressed. “Iron Man 3” opened in China on Wednesday and, while the movie drew some crowds, not everyone was blown away by what they saw or with all the efforts the producers have made to connect with Chinese viewers. The movie got financing from Chinese entertainment giant DMG and includes a cameo by singer Fan Bingbing. More on the China opening of “Iron Man 3” from the Los Angeles Times.
Here’s Teddy. NBC Broadcasting chairman and television industry veteran Ted Harbert will have day-to-day oversight of “The Tonight Show” when Jimmy Fallon takes over from Jay Leno as host of the show next year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Harbert was instrumental in the push to bump Leno in favor of Fallon. Late night still reports to NBC executive Paul Telegdy in Los Angeles, but the Harbert move would seem to undercut him. Deadline Hollywood, which followed up on the Hollywood Reporter’s scoop, had a different take on the news and some not so nice words about Harbert.
Not toying around. Could New York’s new gun-control laws make filming scenes involving certain types of firearms more difficult? That is a concern of the movie industry, according to the New York Times. This sounds like a reach to me but Hollywood is worried about the unintended consequences of the new laws, which could in theory make using certain assault weapons in movies and TV shows shot in New York illegal. Does that also mean that no New York show or film can have a scene with someone drinking a large soda, too? Well, actually now that you mention it ....
New job. After almost 25 years at Fox, most recently as head of its digital efforts, Peter Levinsohn is joining Universal Pictures as president and chief distribution officer. In that role, he will oversee home entertainment as well as television and digital distribution. Theatrical distribution, however will remain Nikki Rocco’s turf. Details on Levinsohn’s new gig from the Los Angeles Times.
PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times
Lights out! CBS delivered strong first-quarter results thanks in large part to its coverage of the Super Bowl. The network had more than $4 billion in revenue and a profit of $443 million. CBS will again finish the television season No. 1 among viewers. Numbers coverage from the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times.
Hope there aren’t late fees too. The Internal Revenue Service is going after media mogul Sumner Redstone for something that happened more than 40 years ago. At issue is stock Redstone’s children received as part of the settlement of a family feud. The IRS said it was a gift and that Redstone, the chairman of CBS and Viacom, owes more than $1 million in taxes on. Redstone, who started his career as an antitrust lawyer, begs to differ. Bloomberg with details on this episode of “Cold Case.”
Inside the Los Angeles Times: Some Hollywood stars are still trying to master Reddit’s “Ask Me Anything.”
Follow me on Twitter. I’m only going to ask a thousand more times or so. @JBFlint.\
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