Ted Turner, CNN Founder and Media Mogul, Dies Aged 87
Ted Turner, the American media mogul who founded the Cable News Network (CNN) in 1980, has passed away at the age of 87. CNN’s launch marked a significant shift in news dissemination, introducing the concept of a dedicated 24-hour news cycle that was initially met with widespread scepticism, earning it the moniker “Chicken Noodle Network”.
Despite early derision, CNN established its credibility through its rapid, continuous coverage of events such as the 1981 assassination attempt on US President Ronald Reagan and the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. The network’s live reporting from Iraq during the 1990-1991 Gulf War solidified its global standing, with President George Bush reportedly stating he gleaned more information from CNN than from the CIA.
Mark Thompson, CNN CEO, described Turner as “the giant on whose shoulders we stand,” acknowledging his “intrepid, fearless” leadership. Former US President Donald Trump, a frequent critic of CNN, lauded Turner as “one of the greats of broadcast history, and a friend of mine,” who was “always willing to fight for a good cause.”
Beyond CNN, Turner’s media empire included Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network. He also owned sports teams, including the Atlanta Braves. A prominent philanthropist, Turner donated $1 billion to the United Nations and was a vocal advocate for environmental causes and clean energy. In 2018, he disclosed a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.
