Media mogul Ted Turner, wey pioneer modern 24-hour news culture when e launch CNN channel, don die at age 87. Di network announce am.
For 1980, Turner launch Cable News Network as di first dedicated rolling news channel. E quickly become central part of media landscape.
US President Donald Trump pay tribute to am as “one of di greats of broadcast history, and a friend of mine”.
Current CNN CEO and chairman Mark Thompson describe Turner as “di giant on whose shoulders we stand, and we all go take moment today to recognise am and im impact on our lives and di world”.
For statement, Thompson say: “Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust im own judgement. E was and always go be di presiding spirit of CNN.”
President Trump don be fierce critic of current CNN, but e talk about Turner: “Whenever I needed am, e was there, always willing to fight for good cause!”
CNN initially face scepticism and struggles. Dem mock am as “Chicken Noodle Network” for early years by those wey think e no go succeed.
But di channel prove im worth by providing speedy and continuous updates of stories like assassination attempt on US President Ronald Reagan for 1981, and Challenger space shuttle disaster for 1986.
Di network truly come of age with im live rolling coverage from Iraq during 1990-1991 Gulf War. President George Bush once say e learn more from CNN than e do from CIA.
CNN success make other news channels follow, like Fox News wey launch for 1996 by Turner long-time rival Rupert Murdoch.
But CNN no be Turner only outlet. E begin im career by taking over successful family billboard company when im father take im own life, then buy radio station for Atlanta, Georgia.
Within decade, dat station become foundation of Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) and im boss become one of biggest media moguls for US.
E also known for im brash personality, wey earn am nicknames “di Mouth of di South” and “Captain Outrageous”. Im television empire include TBS and TNT channels, Turner Classic Movies and Cartoon Network.
E buy MGM film studios for 1985. E go on to buy film and TV companies Castle Rock Entertainment and New Line Cinema for 1990s, before im company merge with Time Warner.
Beyond media, Turner be world-class yachtsman, wey win America’s Cup for 1977. For 1983, Murdoch-sponsored yacht collide with Turner boat for Australian race, wey make Turner challenge Murdoch to fist fight.
Turner also own sport properties including Atlanta Braves baseball team, Atlanta Hawks basketball team and Atlanta Thrashers ice hockey team.
E also become major philanthropist, donating $1bn to United Nations and millions more to environmental causes, and promote and invest for clean energy.
E bin marry actress Jane Fonda from 1991 until 2001. For 2018, Turner reveal e get Lewy body dementia, degenerative nerve disease.
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