Media Pioneer Ted Turner Passes Away At 87/Getty Images
Ted Turner, the visionary behind the modern 24-hour news era with the launch of CNN, has died at the age of 87, as announced by the network today.
In 1980, Turner introduced Cable News Network, the first channel dedicated exclusively to continuous news coverage, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the media landscape.
U.S. President Donald Trump honored him as “one of the greats of broadcast history, and a friend of mine.”
Mark Thompson, the current CEO and chairman of CNN, referred to Turner as “the giant on whose shoulders we stand,” emphasizing the profound influence he had on both the network and the world.
In his statement, Thompson praised Turner’s leadership qualities, describing him as “intensely involved, fearless, and always willing to trust his instincts.” He added, “He was and will always be the presiding spirit of CNN.”
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Despite his critical stance toward the current iteration of CNN, President Trump remarked on Turner’s character, “Whenever I needed him, he was there, always ready to fight for a good cause!”
Initially met with skepticism and mockery, dubbed the “Chicken Noodle Network” by detractors, CNN proved its worth by delivering timely updates on significant events, including the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986.
The network reached new heights with its live coverage of the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991.
President George Bush once stated he learned more from CNN than from the CIA.
The success of CNN paved the way for other news channels, including Fox News, which was launched by Turner’s rival Rupert Murdoch in 1996.
Turner’s media empire extended beyond CNN. He began his career by taking over his family’s billboard business after his father’s tragic death and later acquired a radio station in Atlanta, Georgia.
Within ten years, that station formed the basis of the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), establishing Turner as one of the most influential media moguls in the United States.
Known for his outspoken personality, Turner earned nicknames such as “the Mouth of the South” and “Captain Outrageous.” He famously resided in CNN’s headquarters for several years, often seen wandering the newsroom in a bathrobe and eager to engage in discussions about current events.
Outside of his media ventures, Turner was an accomplished yachtsman, winning the America’s Cup in 1977. In 1983, a yacht sponsored by Murdoch collided with Turner’s vessel during an Australian race, prompting Turner to challenge Murdoch to a fistfight.
He also owned several sports franchises, including the Atlanta Braves baseball team, Atlanta Hawks basketball team, and Atlanta Thrashers ice hockey team.
A prominent philanthropist, Turner donated $1 billion to the United Nations and contributed millions to environmental initiatives while advocating for clean energy solutions.
He was married to actress Jane Fonda from 1991 until their divorce in 2001.
In 2018, Turner disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological condition.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong