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CNN founder Ted Turner dies at age 87 – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
Tallahassee, Florida – Ted Turner, the audacious media entrepreneur who launched the first 24-hour news network and reshaped television, died on May 6, 2026. He was 87.[1][2] Turner passed away in Tallahassee, leaving behind a legacy defined by bold risks and transformative innovations in broadcasting. His creation of CNN in 1980 marked a turning point for how the world consumed news.
A Rise from Billboards to Broadcast Empire
Turner took control of his family’s billboard company at age 24 following his father’s suicide in 1963. The business, valued at $1 million, became the foundation for his expansive media ventures. He expanded into radio stations before acquiring a struggling UHF television station in Atlanta in 1970, which he renamed WTBS.[1][3]
By 1976, technological advances allowed WTBS to beam programming nationwide via satellite, pioneering the superstation model. Turner owned sports teams like the Atlanta Braves and Hawks to fill airtime, turning the channel into a revenue powerhouse. His net worth soared to $100 million as subscribers grew.
The Birth of CNN and 24-Hour News
In 1980, Turner unveiled CNN, the Cable News Network, from headquarters in Atlanta. The channel debuted on June 1 with ambitions to deliver nonstop news coverage, a concept skeptics dismissed as unfeasible. Reese Schonfeld served as initial CEO before Turner stepped in.[1]
CNN…
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Author : nvm_admin
Publish date : 2026-05-06 15:02:00
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