Pioneer of 24-Hour News Passes Away

Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur who transformed television journalism by launching the world’s first 24-hour news channel, has died at the age of 87, according to CNN.

Turner changed the media industry in 1980 when he introduced Cable News Network, creating a nonstop news format that soon became a defining feature of modern broadcasting. Despite early skepticism and ridicule from critics who nicknamed the station the “Chicken Noodle Network,” CNN quickly proved its value through continuous live coverage of major global events.

Among the network’s breakthrough moments were its reporting on the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, the 1986 Challenger shuttle disaster, and especially the 1990–1991 Gulf War, when CNN delivered live reports directly from Iraq. Former President George H. W. Bush once remarked that he learned more from CNN than from the CIA.

Current CNN chairman and CEO Mark Thompson praised Turner as “the giant on whose shoulders we stand,” describing him as fearless, instinctive, and deeply committed to journalism. Thompson added that Turner would “always be the presiding spirit of CNN.”

US President Donald Trump, who has often criticized CNN in recent years, paid tribute to Turner as “one of the greats of broadcast history” and called him a loyal friend willing to support important causes.

Born into a family billboard business, Turner took over the company after his father’s death and rapidly expanded into broadcasting. He purchased a radio station in Atlanta, eventually building it into the powerful Turner Broadcasting System, which included channels such as TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network.

Known for his bold personality and unconventional style, Turner earned nicknames including “The Mouth of the South” and “Captain Outrageous.” According to colleagues, he sometimes lived inside CNN’s headquarters, frequently roaming the newsroom in a bathrobe while debating current events with staff.

Beyond media, Turner was also successful in sports and business. He won the prestigious America’s Cup yacht race in 1977 and owned several professional sports teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta Thrashers.

Turner became equally well known for his philanthropy and environmental activism. He donated $1 billion to the United Nations and supported numerous clean-energy and environmental initiatives. He also founded the Goodwill Games to encourage international cooperation during the Cold War era.

From 1991 to 2001, Turner was married to actress Jane Fonda. In 2018, he publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.

Tributes poured in from across journalism and entertainment following news of his death. Veteran CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour called Turner’s creation of CNN “an unstoppable media revolution for the benefit of all humankind.” Broadcaster Piers Morgan described him as an “extraordinarily bold buccaneer” whose influence stretched far beyond television.

Former CNN president Walter Isaacson remembered Turner as “the most fearless journalist” he had ever known, praising his willingness to challenge political leaders and corporate executives alike.

Turner’s later business years included major acquisitions such as MGM, Castle Rock Entertainment, and New Line Cinema before Turner Broadcasting eventually merged with Time Warner.

Though his influence declined after the merger, Turner’s impact on journalism, television, and global media remained enormous. His creation of around-the-clock news reshaped how the world consumes information and permanently altered the landscape of modern broadcasting.