Robert Edward Turner III
- Born:
- November 19, 1938, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Entrepreneur, Media Proprietor, Television Producer, Philanthropist
Early Life and Education
- Attended Brown University, where he majored in Classics but was later expelled.
- Served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
- Took over his father's billboard advertising business, Turner Advertising Company, after his father's death in 1963.
Career and Major Achievements
- Transformed Turner Advertising Company into Turner Communications Corporation.
- Purchased WTCG-TV in Atlanta, Georgia, later renaming it WTBS, and pioneered the concept of a "superstation" by broadcasting its signal via satellite.
- Founded CNN (Cable News Network) in 1980, the first 24-hour all-news television network.
- Launched other Turner Broadcasting System networks, including Headline News (now HLN), TNT, Cartoon Network, and TBS.
- Acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1986, gaining control of its film library, which later led to the creation of Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
- Sold Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner in 1996.
Notable Works
- CNN (Cable News Network)
- Headline News (HLN)
- TNT
- Cartoon Network
- TBS
- Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
Legacy and Impact
Robert Edward Turner III, known as Ted Turner, revolutionized the media landscape through his pioneering efforts in cable television and the creation of the 24-hour news cycle. His vision and entrepreneurial spirit left an indelible mark on the broadcasting industry, changing the way information is disseminated and consumed globally. The story of Ted Turner's biography is one of innovation and bold risk-taking.