Ted Turner, CNN founder, dies at 87

(CNN, KYMA) - CNN founder Ted Turner died Wednesday at the age of 87, according to a news release from Turner Enterprises.

Turner launched CNN on June 1, 1980. It was the first 24-hour, all-news network and it revolutionized the industry.

The media pioneer was behind other popular channels as well before he sold his empire.

Turner was also known as a yachtsman and owned two Atlanta sports teams for a time: The Braves and Hawks.

He was a philanthropist who founded the United Nations Foundation.

He was also a conservationist. He created the "Captain Planet" cartoon and helped re-introduce bison to the western U.S., and he was affectionately called "The Mouth of the South" as a nod to his outspoken nature.

In 20-18, Turner revealed he had a progressive brain disorder called lewy body dementia. He was hospitalized in 2025 with pneumonia and spent recovery time at a rehabilitation facility.

Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.