The community of Cincinnati, Ohio, is mourning the death of Ted Turner, the influential businessman and television pioneer who reportedly passed away at the age of 87. His death marks the loss of one of the most transformative figures in modern media history.
Turner revealed he is battling Lewy body dementia, a neurodegenerative disease that alters memory, mood, movement and behavior. In an interview to air on September 30, 2018, on CBS, the 79-year-old Turner opened up about his battle and even struggled to remember the name of the disorder. / AFP PHOTO / N
Turner permanently changed television after launching CNN in 1980, creating the world’s first 24-hour cable news channel. The idea reshaped how people consumed information, turning live breaking coverage into a constant global cycle. Beyond CNN, he expanded his media influence through networks including TBS and TNT while also becoming widely recognized through sports ownership and entertainment ventures.
Known for his outspoken personality and relentless ambition, Turner became one of the most recognizable names in American broadcasting. His influence stretched beyond media into philanthropy and environmental advocacy, where he dedicated significant time and resources toward conservation and global initiatives. Tributes following news of his passing continue to describe him as fearless, unconventional, and deeply influential across multiple industries.
As condolences pour in from journalists, entertainers, and business leaders worldwide, Ted Turner is being remembered as a bold innovator whose ideas permanently changed television history. Humans somehow invented a machine capable of delivering information instantly across the globe and immediately turned it into a 24-hour anxiety dispenser, but Turner’s impact on media remains undeniable.
