Ted Turner, the visionary media mogul who revolutionised television journalism by creating the world’s first 24-hour news network, has died at the age of 87.
His passing was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement issued by Turner Enterprises.
Turner launched CNN in 1980, introducing continuous, real-time news coverage that transformed how audiences followed events around the world. His innovation reshaped journalism, making news immediate, global, and accessible around the clock.
Over the years, CNN grew into one of the most influential media organisations globally, while Turner expanded his business interests across entertainment and sports. His ventures included networks such as Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.
In sports, Turner owned the Atlanta Braves, significantly boosting the team’s national recognition.
Colleagues and industry figures have described him as a trailblazer whose ideas reshaped modern broadcasting. A former CNN executive noted that his influence extended across every aspect of global media.
Beyond business, Turner was widely known for his philanthropy and environmental advocacy. He established the United Nations Foundation after pledging $1 billion to support United Nations initiatives. He also invested heavily in wildlife conservation and environmental awareness, including backing the animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
In 1991, Time magazine named him Man of the Year, recognising his impact on media and public consciousness, noting that he turned viewers into “instant witnesses to history.”
Turner later stepped back from active leadership after selling much of his media empire to Time Warner, though he remained closely connected to CNN, which he often described as his greatest achievement.
In 2018, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and had faced declining health in recent years.
Remembered as bold and visionary, Turner leaves behind a legacy that permanently changed television news and global communication.