CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87, Leaving Legacy of 24-Hour News Revolution

Media mogul Ted Turner, the pioneering force behind modern 24-hour television news, has died at the age of 87, according to announcements from the network he created.
Turner founded CNN in 1980 as the world’s first dedicated rolling news channel, transforming global media consumption and establishing continuous news coverage as a standard across the industry.
Tributes have poured in from global figures and media leaders. CNN CEO and Chairman Mark Thompson described Turner as “the giant on whose shoulders we stand,” praising his bold leadership and lasting impact on journalism. He said Turner remained “the presiding spirit of CNN.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also paid tribute, calling him “one of the greats of broadcast history,” while noting a personal friendship with the media pioneer.
Turner’s CNN initially faced heavy scepticism and ridicule in its early years, but went on to redefine news reporting with landmark live coverage of major global events, including the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan and the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. Its extensive Gulf War coverage further cemented its global influence.
Journalists and colleagues remembered Turner as a fearless and unconventional leader. CNN founding team member Mary Alice Williams described him as a “wild man” with a bold vision to connect the world through shared news and understanding.
Beyond CNN, Turner built a vast media empire through the Turner Broadcasting System, which included channels such as TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network. He also owned major sports franchises including the Atlanta Braves.
Turner was widely known for his outspoken personality and philanthropic efforts, donating large sums to environmental causes and the United Nations. In later years, he revealed he was living with Lewy body dementia.
Media figures including Christiane Amanpour and Piers Morgan paid tribute to his transformative role in journalism and global media, crediting him with reshaping how the world receives and understands news.
Turner’s death marks the end of a landmark era in broadcast history, defined by his vision of continuous, global news coverage and an expansive media empire that reshaped television worldwide.