Ted Turner, CNN founder and media pioneer, dies at 87

Ted Turner, the outspoken businessman who built a media empire anchored by the creation of CNN, has died at the age of 87, according to a statement cited by the network he founded.

No cause of death was given for Turner, who had disclosed in 2018 that he was living with Lewy body dementia.

Turner’s career reshaped modern broadcasting. After taking over his father’s billboard business, he expanded into radio and then television, buying a struggling Atlanta station in 1970. That move became the foundation for what would grow into the Turner Broadcasting System — and, ultimately, a platform for one of the most consequential bets in media history.

In 1980, Turner launched CNN, the first 24-hour cable news channel. The idea initially faced scepticism, but it aligned with a broader shift toward cable television and found its footing during major global events, notably the Gulf War, when continuous live coverage gave the network a defining role.

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid and fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement. He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN,” said Mark Thompson. “Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognise him and his impact on our lives and the world.”

Turner’s ambitions extended well beyond news. He built a portfolio that included sports teams, film libraries and entertainment channels, later acquiring MGM/UA and merging his company with Time Warner in 1996. The deal made him the largest shareholder in the combined entity, though it also marked a shift away from the hands-on control that had defined his earlier career.

His public life was as visible as his business moves — from his marriage to actor Jane Fonda to his competitive sailing ventures and philanthropic work, particularly in environmental causes.

Outside the media industry, Turner drew a mix of admiration and disagreement.

“Ted Turner was a bold man, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, and even those who at times strongly disagreed with him respected him,” said Brian Kemp.

Born in Cincinnati in 1938, Turner took control of the family business after his father’s death and built it into a launching pad for a career defined by risk-taking and scale. His push to create a 24-hour news network — once seen as improbable — ended up redefining how global audiences consume news.

“Ted Turner created an unstoppable media revolution for the BENEFIT of all humankind,” said Christiane Amanpour. “Throughout nearly 43 years at CNN, working for Ted and his vision has been the proudest achievement of my lifetime.”