By Chucks Okafor
Ted Turner, the bold businessman who transformed television journalism by creating the world’s first 24-hour news channel, has died at the age of 87.
Turner, founder of CNN, passed away at his home in Tallahassee surrounded by family, according to relatives. His death marks the end of an era for global broadcasting and modern television news.
For millions around the world, Turner was more than a media owner. He was the man who completely changed how people consumed news. Before CNN launched in 1980, television news was limited to short scheduled bulletins on major American networks such as ABC, CBS and NBC. Turner believed news should not stop after the evening broadcast. He believed viewers deserved access to information at any hour of the day.
At the time, many dismissed the idea as impossible. Critics doubted people would watch news around the clock, while investors questioned whether the business could survive financially. But Turner pushed ahead, risking his fortune and reputation to launch a network that would later reshape global journalism.
Born in Cincinnati in 1938, Turner’s journey was far from smooth. He experienced personal tragedy at a young age after his father died by suicide during financial difficulties. Rather than abandon the struggling family business, Turner expanded it aggressively and later entered broadcasting.
His breakthrough came when he turned a small Atlanta television station into a national “superstation” through satellite distribution — a move considered revolutionary at the time. He later launched CNN, despite heavy financial losses in its early years.
The network’s defining moment came during the Gulf War, when CNN’s live reporting from Baghdad brought real-time war coverage into homes across the world. The channel quickly became a trusted source of international news and established Turner as one of the most influential figures in media history.
Away from television, Turner was known for his outspoken personality, sharp opinions and major charitable giving. In 1997, he donated $1 billion to the United Nations to support humanitarian causes, including refugee aid and landmine removal.
His political views often shifted over the years, making him both admired and criticised. Yet even his critics acknowledged his enormous impact on global communication.
Tributes have continued to pour in following news of his death. Donald Trump described him as “one of the greatest figures of all time”.
Ted Turner leaves behind a
legacy that forever changed journalism. In creating CNN, he did not simply
build a television network — he created a new way for the world to watch
history unfold in real time.
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