ATLANTA/WASHINGTON, May 6 — Ted Turner, the outspoken billionaire who founded CNN and helped create the modern 24-hour news industry, has died at the age of 87, according to statements released by CNN and Turner Enterprises.
Turner, one of the most influential figures in modern broadcasting, revolutionized television journalism when he launched CNN in 1980 the world’s first 24-hour cable news network. At the time, many in the media industry believed viewers would never watch news continuously around the clock.
Instead, CNN went on to reshape global news coverage forever.
The man who changed television news
Born Robert Edward Turner III in Cincinnati in 1938, Turner entered the media business after taking over his father’s billboard company following his father’s death. He later expanded into television broadcasting and built what became the Turner Broadcasting empire.
His biggest gamble came in 1980 with the launch of CNN from Atlanta.
The network’s around-the-clock coverage model transformed how audiences followed major global events, from wars and elections to disasters and financial crises. CNN later grew into one of the most recognized news brands in the world.
Turner was often described as fearless, unconventional and highly competitive — traits that helped him build a media empire during the rise of cable television.
Beyond CNN
Turner’s influence extended far beyond news broadcasting.
Over the years, he also:
- Built Turner Broadcasting System
- Expanded TBS and TNT
- Owned the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks
- Helped popularize cable “superstations”
- Invested heavily in environmental causes and philanthropy
He became internationally known for donating $1 billion to create the United Nations Foundation and for supporting nuclear disarmament initiatives.
Turner was also deeply involved in conservation efforts and became one of the largest private landowners in the United States.
CNN reacts to Turner’s death
CNN executives and former colleagues described Turner as the driving force behind one of the biggest transformations in television history.
CNN Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson called Turner “the presiding spirit of CNN” and praised his willingness to take risks when others doubted the idea of 24-hour news.
Turner himself once famously said CNN would stay on air “until the end of the world,” reflecting the bold style that made him both admired and controversial throughout his career.
Health struggles in recent years
Turner had largely stepped away from public life after revealing in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disorder.
Despite declining health in recent years, he remained one of the most recognizable figures in American media history.
A legacy that reshaped global media
Few media executives had as much influence on modern broadcasting as Turner.
Before CNN:
- Television news was limited to scheduled bulletins
- Breaking news coverage was slower and less global
After CNN:
- Live international coverage became standard
- 24-hour news channels spread worldwide
- Real-time global reporting became the norm
Turner’s model changed not only television but also politics, financial markets and how people experienced world events.
