Media mogul Ted Turner dies at 87 following confirmation by CNN
CNN confirms the death of its founder on Wednesday, citing his pivotal role in launching the network in 1980 and his extensive contributions to environmental causes and professional sports.
CNN has confirmed the death of its founder, Ted Turner, at the age of 87. The network issued the announcement on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, marking the end of an era for the media magnate who fundamentally altered the landscape of television journalism.
Turner is credited with revolutionising the industry by launching the first 24-hour cable news channel in 1980. This initiative upended established broadcasting norms and gained significant global traction, particularly through its extensive live coverage of the 1990–91 Gulf War. The success of Cable News Network subsequently inspired the creation of numerous other round-the-clock news channels worldwide.
Beyond his impact on journalism, Turner established himself as a prominent business leader and philanthropist. His television empire expanded to include TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network. He also held stakes in MGM/UA Entertainment Co. and was a major shareholder in Time Warner, where he served as vice chairman following the 1996 merger.
Turner's business interests extended significantly into professional sports and yachting. He owned the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta Thrashers, with the baseball team winning the World Series in 1995. His competitive spirit was also evident in yachting, where he skippered the US yacht Courageous to victory in the 1977 America's Cup.
In his later years, Turner devoted considerable energy to charitable and environmental initiatives. In 1998, he donated $1 billion to the United Nations to establish the UN Foundation. He also founded the Turner Foundation and the Turner Endangered Species Fund, and launched the Ted Turner Reserves in 2015 to promote conservation and eco-tourism.
The network noted that Turner, born in Cincinnati in 1938, took over a faltering family advertising business after his father's suicide before moving into radio and television. His departure from Time Warner in 2003 allowed him to focus fully on these philanthropic endeavours until his passing.
