Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur who transformed global television journalism by launching the world’s first 24-hour news network, has died at the age of 87.
A statement from Turner Enterprises on Wednesday confirmed his death.
Turner founded CNN in 1980, introducing continuous real-time television news coverage that reshaped how audiences consumed global events.
“Turner’s vision changed journalism forever by making news immediate, global, and constant,” the statement from Turner Enterprises said.
CNN later grew into one of the world’s most influential media organisations, while Turner expanded his media empire into entertainment and sports.
His business interests included channels such as Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies.
He also owned the Atlanta Braves, helping to increase the club’s national profile.
“He was a once-in-a-generation media pioneer whose influence touched every corner of modern broadcasting,” a former CNN executive said.
Beyond broadcasting, Turner became known for philanthropy and environmental advocacy.
He founded the United Nations Foundation after pledging $1 billion to support United Nations initiatives.
He also became one of the largest private landowners in the United States and supported wildlife restoration and environmental awareness projects, including the animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers.
In 1991, Time named him Man of the Year in recognition of his influence on media and public awareness.
“He turned viewers into instant witnesses to history,” the magazine wrote at the time.
Turner later stepped back from active business leadership after selling much of his media empire to Time Warner, though he remained closely associated with CNN, which he often described as his proudest achievement.
In 2018, he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and had faced declining health in recent years.
“Ted was fearless in his ideas and relentless in pursuing them,” a longtime associate said.
“He believed in his instincts when few others did.”
Turner’s death marks the passing of one of the most influential figures in modern media history, whose impact changed television news and global communication.
