Media mogul who launched the world’s first 24-hour news network passes away.
Ted Turner, founder of CNN and a pioneer of cable television, has died at the age of 87. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Turner transformed global media in 1980 when he launched CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network. The move reshaped how news is delivered, making live, continuous coverage a global standard. Over the years, he built a media empire that included Turner Broadcasting System and channels such as CNN International, Cartoon Network and TNT.
Beyond television, Turner expanded into sports, owning teams like the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks. He also became known for his philanthropy, pledging $1 billion to the United Nations and supporting global development through the United Nations Foundation.
Ted Turner revealed in 2018 that he was battling Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain condition that affected his memory and health in later years.
Born in Cincinnati and raised in Georgia, Turner built his career from a small advertising business into a global media force that changed television forever.
His legacy lives on in modern news broadcasting, where 24-hour coverage remains the industry standard.