Ted Turner, the American media mogul who transformed global television news by launching CNN, has died at the age of 87, the network announced.
Turner founded Cable News Network (CNN) in 1980, creating the world’s first dedicated 24-hour news channel. At the time, the idea of continuous rolling news was widely doubted, and the channel was initially mocked as the “Chicken Noodle Network.” However, CNN soon established itself as a major force in global journalism by providing fast, continuous coverage of major events, including the 1981 assassination attempt on former U.S. president Ronald Reagan, the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster, and later the Gulf War, where its live reporting from Iraq helped define modern war coverage.
CNN’s success inspired competitors such as Fox News, launched in 1996. Turner’s broader media empire included TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network, making him one of the most influential figures in American broadcasting.
“Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world,” Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide, said in a statement.
Beyond television, Turner was a successful yachtsman, winning the America’s Cup in 1977, and owned major sports franchises including the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta Thrashers. He also pursued major media acquisitions, including MGM and later film companies such as Castle Rock Entertainment and New Line Cinema.
Turner became a significant philanthropist, donating $1 billion (€930 million) to the United Nations and supporting environmental causes. He was married to actress Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001.
