Ted Turner, the media mogul who founded outlets like TNT, TBS, and CNN, has died at the age of 87.
What We Know: Ted Turner died on Wednesday, according to a statement from Turner Enterprises. Turner created a media empire in the 1970s by pioneering the “superstation” technology. On June 1, 1980, he launched CNN, the first 24-hour cable news brand.
In addition to founding CNN, he also founded Headline News, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies, among other cable brands. Additionally, he founded the United Nations Foundation. In 1991, he was named Time Magazine‘s Man of the Year.
What They Said: “Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement. He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN. Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we will all take a moment today to recognize him and his impact on our lives and the world.” -CNN CEO Mark Thompson
What Remains Unclear: It was not immediately known what Turner’s cause of death was. In 2018, he revealed he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Furthermore, in 2025, Turner was hospitalized with pneumonia before recovering.
What It Means: The media business has lost a titan. One could argue that few, if any, have been as impactful and influential in the cable television business as Ted Turner was.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
