CNN founder Ted Turner dies at 87

Media mogul Ted Turner, who revolutionized global journalism by founding Cable News Network (CNN) as the world's first 24-hour dedicated news channel in 1980, has died at the age of 87, CNN announced on Wednesday. Turner, whose entrepreneurial vision transformed how news is consumed worldwide, leaves behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in modern media history. Turner launched CNN from Atlanta, Georgia, creating a channel that would become a central pillar of the global media landscape and fundamentally change how audiences worldwide access and consume news. CNN CEO and chairman Mark Thompson described Turner as "an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement," adding that he was "and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN" and "the giant on whose shoulders we stand." Beyond CNN, Turner built an extensive business empire that included professional sports teams and the Hardee's restaurant chain, further cementing his status as a transformative figure in American business and media. His willingness to take bold risks and his commitment to providing continuous news coverage shaped an era of journalism that continues to influence the industry today.