CNN Founder Ted Turner Dies at 87

Ted Turner, the outspoken media pioneer who transformed television news by launching CNN, has died at the age of 87.

CNN reported that Turner passed away on Wednesday, citing a statement from Turner Enterprises.

Turner, known for his bold personality and risk-taking approach, revolutionised broadcasting with the launch of CNN in 1980 — the world’s first 24-hour news channel. His innovation reshaped how audiences consumed news, allowing them to access updates at any time.

Beyond media, Turner had diverse interests. He owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1977, and donated $1 billion to United Nations-related causes. He was also widely known for his marriage to actress Jane Fonda and earned nicknames such as “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South.”

In later years, Turner battled Lewy body dementia and shifted his focus to philanthropy and managing his vast land holdings, which included more than two million acres and the largest bison herd in the United States.

Turner built his media empire from his father’s billboard business into a global conglomerate, Turner Broadcasting System, which he sold to Time Warner in 1996 for $7.3 billion. The company then included multiple cable networks, sports teams and film studios.

CNN’s defining moment came during the 1991 Gulf War, when it became the first network to broadcast live coverage from Baghdad as the conflict unfolded, setting a new standard for real-time war reporting.

Although Turner was expected to retain influence after the sale, he was gradually sidelined — a development he later described as a major mistake.

The same year also saw the launch of Fox News under media mogul Rupert Murdoch, ushering in a new era of opinion-driven cable news that challenged CNN’s traditional reporting style.

Turner’s legacy remains deeply tied to the creation of modern 24-hour news and the global expansion of television journalism.