Media mogul and CNN founder Ted Turner has died at the age of 87, the network he created confirmed on Wednesday.
Turner launched Cable News Network (CNN) in 1980, introducing the world’s first 24-hour rolling news channel at a time when the concept was widely dismissed by critics. The idea, once mocked as the “Chicken Noodle Network,” went on to transform global journalism and real-time news coverage.
CNN’s early credibility was established during major breaking events including the 1981 attempted assassination of U.S. President Ronald Reagan and the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. Its global prominence grew further during live coverage of the Gulf War in 1990–91, which set a new standard for continuous news broadcasting.
Tributes poured in following his death. CNN CEO Mark Thompson described Turner as “the giant on whose shoulders we stand,” crediting him with fearless leadership and instinct-driven decision-making. Former U.S. President Donald Trump also paid tribute, calling him “one of the greats of broadcast history.”
Beyond CNN, Turner built the Turner Broadcasting System into a major media empire, expanding into channels such as TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies and Cartoon Network.
He also owned major U.S. sports franchises including the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks, and won the America’s Cup in 1977 as a competitive yachtsman. His philanthropy included a $1 billion donation to the United Nations and major investments in environmental causes.
Turner was married to actress Jane Fonda from 1991 to 2001. He publicly disclosed a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia in 2018.
Known for his outspoken personality, Turner was often nicknamed the “Mouth of the South” and “Captain Outrageous,” leaving behind a lasting legacy in global media.