Ted Turner, founder of CNN, passes away at 87 years old.
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN and a key figure in the expansion of cable television, died on Wednesday at the age of 87. The death was confirmed by a Turner Enterprises news release and first reported by CNN. In a statement, CNN’s CEO Mark Thompson described Turner as an “intensely involved and committed leader” and praised his role in shaping the network.
Turner’s career began with the Turner Broadcasting System, which grew into a major media conglomerate that launched TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies. He founded CNN in 1980, creating the first 24‑hour news channel in the United States. The network’s launch changed television news delivery and influenced later competitors such as Fox News and MSNBC.
Beyond broadcasting, Turner owned the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks and later became a philanthropist. He donated $1 billion to the United Nations in 1998, co‑founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative, and started Ted’s Montana Grill, a chain known for its bison menu. He also authored a memoir and was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2018.
Turner’s death marks the passing of a pioneer who reshaped American media. No further statements have been released regarding an investigation or any upcoming memorials.