Ted Turner Dead at 87
The death of a legendary person from the world of media is mourned worldwide. Ted Turner, the brain behind CNN, the pioneering media house that brought about a revolution in the field of television news, has died aged 87 years old. It is at this point that we can mark the end of an era which has been significant in terms of broadcasting and pay tribute to the legacy of a legend.
The Vision That Changed Everything
Throughout his life, Turner has always done things his way. The idea of having a 24-hour news station was considered to be far-fetched when he launched CNN in 1980. There were strict schedules for television news stations at that time, and the need for 24/7 news coverage was not deemed necessary. Nonetheless, Turner saw what others failed to see, which was the emergence of news that was instantaneous and global.
Defining Moment: The Gulf War
Undoubtedly, the influence of CNN in the international media reached its maximum level at the time of the Gulf War. Indeed, CNN succeeded in providing live broadcasts from Baghdad ensuring timely delivery of the news on what was going on there during the warfare. Thus, the breakthrough was achieved by CNN which turned into an important source of news for the whole world.
Building a Media Empire
The intentions of Turner were much bigger than just running one television network. Through Turner Broadcasting System, Turner constructed his media empire, providing cable television to the whole world. By acquiring the Atlanta Braves team, he changed the landscape of sports television in the country by making the Atlanta Braves a household name.
Courtesy of Josh Hallett (Flickr CC0)A Billion-Dollar Philanthropist
Other than his commercial dealings, he became popular due to his philanthropic nature. He donated 1 billion dollars to the UN, which is one of the largest charity donations ever made by an individual. His philanthropy covered programs meant to solve world problems such as poverty eradication and conservation.
A Voice That Couldn’t Be Ignored
Turner was considered as a controversial personality because he was an outspoken person. The reason behind his controversy is because he used to challenge politicians, talk about global issues freely, and even criticized the entire media industry. While some people believed Turner was a controversial personality, some others appreciated him for his courage in a conservative industry.
A Lasting Legacy
Although he backed off after Turner Broadcasting Systems merged with Time Warner, his influence was not diluted. The broadcast news that we now see and its global presence is built on the foundation that he had established.
The End of an Era
It is clear from the praises that have been showered on him by the press, executives, and even world leaders, that Turner didn’t just create a channel; he redefined an entire industry. Ted Turner will be known for his breaking news bulletins all the way to his worldwide networking system.
By David Loran Jr
A successful Editor-in-Chief, journalist for over 6 years, writing about important topics that are going on within the U.S. and beyond.
Sources:
Reuters: Ted Turner, outspoken founder of CNN, dies at 87
The New York Times: Ted Turner, Creator of CNN and the 24-Hour News Cycle, Dies at 87
Featured Image Courtesy of Robin Norlén‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Josh Hallett‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
