CNN founder, Ted Turner, dies at 87

CNN founder, Ted Turner, dies at 87

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, according to a statement from Turner Enterprises on Wednesday.

Turner is widely known for founding CNN in 1980, a pioneering move that reshaped how the world consumes news by offering continuous, real-time coverage of global events. The network grew into one of the most influential media organisations in the world.

Ted Turner

“Turner’s vision changed journalism forever by making news immediate, global, and constant,” the statement from Turner Enterprises said.

A colourful and often controversial figure, Turner built a sprawling media empire that extended beyond news into entertainment and sports, including channels such as Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies. He also owned the Atlanta Braves, helping to raise the team’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 media, Turner was a major philanthropist and environmental advocate. He founded the United Nations Foundation after pledging $1 billion to support United Nations initiatives and became one of the largest private landowners in the United States.

His environmental work included wildlife restoration projects and awareness campaigns, including the creation of the animated series Captain Planet and the Planeteers.