Ted Turner, the American media mogul who founded the Cable News Network (CNN) and revolutionized global news dissemination, has died at the age of 87.

Turner launched CNN in 1980, pioneering the concept of 24-hour news coverage. Before CNN, audiences could only watch news during scheduled broadcast slots. His creation fundamentally changed how the world consumed information, making real-time news coverage a reality.

Building a Media Empire

Turner’s media empire extended well beyond CNN. He also owned the Atlanta Braves baseball team and the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, and was a major donor to United Nations causes.

In 1996, he sold Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner, but CNN remains one of the world’s most influential news organizations to this day.

Industry Reaction

Following the news, tributes poured in from journalists and media professionals worldwide. Turner is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern television journalism.

He changed the way we get our news. Before CNN, nobody thought about broadcasting news around the clock. – Media commentator

Source: Los Angeles Times, compiled report

American media titan Ted Turner, founder of Cable News Network (CNN), has died at the age of 87, BBC and NPR reported on Tuesday.

Turner launched CNN in 1980, creating the world’s first 24-hour news channel and fundamentally transforming how people consume news. Before CNN, American viewers relied on scheduled news programs from the three major broadcast networks. CNN made “breaking news” possible and shaped the rhythm of modern journalism.

During the 1991 Gulf War, CNN’s live reporting from a Baghdad hotel made the network synonymous with global news coverage. Turner was widely hailed as the “father of cable television.”

Beyond CNN, Turner owned the Atlanta Braves baseball team and the Atlanta Hawks basketball team, and was a major philanthropist in environmental conservation. He donated $1 billion worth of stock to support the United Nations Foundation.

NPR described Turner as a “brash and visionary media pioneer” who not only changed the face of journalism but also deeply influenced American pop culture and social agendas.

The New York Times noted that the 24-hour news cycle Turner created has only accelerated in the social media era, and its impact continues to shape global information distribution today.