Media mogul and broadcasting pioneer Ted Turner has died at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy that transformed television news, sports broadcasting, and the media industry worldwide. Turner’s passing was confirmed by Turner Enterprises on May 6, 2026.
Turner is best known for launching CNN in 1980, creating the world’s first 24-hour news network and permanently changing how people consume breaking news. What many critics initially dismissed as an impossible concept eventually became one of the most influential news brands in the world. Turner also helped build a massive cable television empire that included networks such as TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies.
Beyond television, Turner played a major role in Atlanta’s sports culture. He owned the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks during the growth of his Turner Broadcasting empire, helping elevate Atlanta into a nationally recognized sports and media market. Under his ownership, the Braves captured the 1995 World Series championship.
Turner was also widely recognized for his philanthropy and environmental activism. He pledged $1 billion to support United Nations initiatives, leading to the creation of the United Nations Foundation, while also becoming one of the nation’s largest private landowners focused on wildlife conservation and bison restoration efforts.
In recent years, Turner had been battling Lewy body dementia, a condition he publicly revealed in 2018. Tributes have continued pouring in from across the media, sports, and entertainment industries, with many praising his fearless vision, competitive spirit, and groundbreaking contributions to modern broadcasting.
(Photo by Jeff Goode/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
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