With the conviction that "news never stops," media mogul Ted Turner, who changed the landscape of modern journalism, died on the 6th (local time) at age 87. Nicknamed "The Mouth of the South" for his unbridled blunt talk, Turner was a maverick of his era who constantly challenged established authority and moved across media, sports and the environment.
◇ A gambler who rose above a tragic family history
Born in Ohio in 1938, Turner's life was rocky from the start. His father, who struggled with alcoholism, ended his own life in 1963 when Turner was 24. Suddenly inheriting an ad firm buried in debt, Turner chose to run it himself rather than sell, and rebuilt the family business with standout acumen, defying the doubts around him.
His gambler's instinct emerged in earnest in the 1970s as he focused on the potential of satellite broadcasting. After buying a chronically loss-making Atlanta station, he built a "superstation" that beamed nationwide via satellite and drew viewers with content such as baseball broadcasts. It became the springboard that later led to the birth of CNN.
◇ CNN, turning ridicule into conviction
The biggest gamble of Turner's life was CNN, the world's first 24-hour news channel, launched in 1980. He emphasized the need for a 24-hour news channel, saying, "Many people miss the evening news," but the industry at the time was dominated by cynicism: "Who's going to watch news all day?"
But Turner did not back down. He expanded by launching CNN2 (now Headline News) in 1982 and CNN International in 1985. CNN changed the concept of news by delivering not "events that already happened" but "events happening now."
The turning point came with the Gulf War in 1990. By broadcasting live from Baghdad under fire, CNN became the first channel world leaders turned to. President George H. W. Bush said, "I learn more from CNN than I do from the CIA." With this war, CNN made real the idea of "news the whole world watches at the same time."
Turner then expanded into animation and film channels, emerging as a key figure in the media industry. If he saw long-term value, he did not shy away from pricey acquisitions, buying MGM in 1986. In 1996, he sold the company to Time Warner, helping form the world's largest media group.
◇ Controversy and downfall, and another life
Turner was also known for his antics and controversies. His blunt, direct manner earned him the nickname "The Mouth of the South," and he clashed publicly with rivals such as Rupert Murdoch (now honorary chairman of Fox Corporation). His private life was also constantly in the spotlight, including three marriages and divorces. His marriage to actor Jane Fonda drew especially close attention.
His late-career management moves were anything but smooth. The 2001 merger with AOL is remembered as "the worst mistake in history," and he lost most of his fortune in the process. In 2003, he ultimately stepped down from the board.
Afterward, he devoted himself to charity and environmental protection. He donated $1 billion to the United Nations and bought vast tracts of land across the United States to create nature preserves. He also contributed to protecting bison, once on the brink of extinction.
President Donald Trump offered condolences, saying, "Turner was one of the greatest of all time," and, "Whenever I needed him, he was there and always willing to fight for a good cause."