From CNN to the Environment: Ted Turner’s Story

Article Summary

“You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for.” ~ Ted Turner

Did you know that CNN (Cable News Network) is one of the most widely available cable news channels worldwide?

This broadcast channel was also the first 24-hour news network and falls under the “big three” cable news channels after Fox News and MSNBC.

Its founder is an American legend and media magnate. He goes by the name of Ted Turner.

The Life Story of Ted Turner

Ted Turner began his career in advertising but naturally gravitated towards radio, television, and eventually news broadcasting, seeing how the world was moving in this direction.

His prior experience running his father’s advertising company made him an astute businessman and media proprietor, with his most popular venture being CNN.

Turner holds numerous publicly-accepted titles. Many people recognize him as an American entrepreneur and media mogul.

He is also a bison rancher, environmentalist, baseball team owner, and philanthropist. Turner’s life brims with remarkable and inspiring stories worth digging into.

Early Life and Education

Ted Turner joined the world as Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He is the oldest child of Florence (Rooney) Turner and Robert Edward (Ed) Turner Jr. His father owned a successful advertising company, Turner Advertising, which specialized in selling billboard ads and generated considerable revenue.

Turner spent his early years at the heart of Cincinnati until 1947, when his father relocated the family to Savannah, Georgia.

Despite being a good provider for the family, Turner’s father was bipolar and often projected his mood swings onto young Turner.

Ed often took out his anger on Turner, physically abusing him, leading to a turbulent relationship. Turner later learned that he also had bipolar disorder when he reached adulthood.

“You can never quit. Winners never quit, and quitters never win.” ~ Ted Turner

On one occasion in 1941, Ed joined the Navy and left with his wife and Turner’s siblings to the Gulf Coast, leaving young Turner back in Cincinnati. During this time, Turner resided at a boarding school.

Ed moved the family to Savannah after the war and enrolled Turner at the McCallie School, a prestigious boarding school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1950.

One of Turner’s preferred subjects at McCallie was military training, which was in his curriculum.

The subject inspired him to enroll at the United States Naval Academy, but his father insisted he apply to Harvard instead.

However, Turner’s grades were insufficient for admission to Harvard, so he enrolled at Brown University in 1956. He got expelled in his third year for hosting a woman in his dormitory room.

Career Beginnings

Upon expulsion, Turner worked in his father’s advertising company, based in Atlanta. He rose in rank to become general manager in one of the branch’s offices and officially took over the company in 1963 after his father committed suicide.

Turner demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for business. He increased the company’s revenue by over 100%.

However, the company took an unpleasant turn when his father acquired a competitor in 1962, which resulted in a costly buyout and significant debt.

The acquisition caused the company to become fragile and become on the verge of bankruptcy.

“Just because your ratings are bigger doesn’t mean you’re better.” ~ Ted Turner

Ed, still grappling with bipolar disorder, shot himself in March 1963, likely because he feared losing his company.

Turner coped with the sadness of his father’s death by immersing himself in work.

He took control of his father’s company and assumed the role of president and CEO.

In the mid-1960s, he renamed the company Turner Communications after acquiring several radio stations.

By 1970, Turner Communications had become the largest advertising company in the southeastern region of the United States.

Turner eventually expanded his business into the television industry by obtaining the rights to classic movies and sitcoms.

The Rise of CNN

Turner was among the pioneers who used a new communications satellite to broadcast television stations in 1975.

He later renamed his station TBS, which stood for Turner Broadcasting System.

Cable broadcasting significantly raised the company’s earnings and user base since it could reach a nationwide audience. Income increased, allowing Turner to acquire the Atlanta Braves baseball and Atlanta Hawks basketball teams in 1977.

“I didn’t care what, how much adversity life threw at me. I intended to get to the top.” ~ Ted Turner

Turner founded two other cable TV networks: CNN (Cable News Network) in 1980, the first channel to broadcast 24-hour news, and TNT (Turner Network Television) in 1988.

Despite facing harsh criticism from media experts, Turner went on with his decision to establish CNN.

Within five years of its launch, the network began generating significant profits and later broadened to include CNN Radio and CNN International.

The creation of CNN significantly transformed news broadcasting. Back then, not many cable channels offered worldwide full-time news coverage.

However, like most media organizations, CNN has been at the heart of several controversies. It’s still a respected news source for many, available to over 2 billion people globally.

Sports and Entertainment Ventures

Turner purchased the Atlanta Braves at a time when the baseball team was struggling.

He turned the team around and made it one of the most beloved teams in major league baseball.

Turner also purchased the Atlanta Hawks in 1977, although this team never attained as much popularity and success as the Braves.

Nonetheless, owning both teams established Ted’s reputation as a significant figure in the sports industry.

In 1985, Turner acquired Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), an entertainment company in Hollywood.

With this prestigious movie studio under his belt, he gained access to nearly 4,000 classic films and the rights to all current and future productions.

Turner also founded several entertainment ventures during the 1980s and 1990s, including Turner Entertainment Company in 1986, Turner Network Television (TNT) in 1988, Cartoon Network (1992), and Turner Classic Movies (1994).

He sold his company to Time Warner for $7.5 billion in 1996.

Philanthropy and Activism

Ted Turner passionately involves himself in philanthropic and environmental causes.

He established the Turner Foundation in the 1990s to combat climate change. Through this foundation, Turner supported numerous environmental and sustainability projects.

In 1997, Turner donated $1 billion to create the United Nations Foundation to aid UN programs and projects concerning global health, climate change, and women empowerment.

He also founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative in 2001 to fight the use of weapons of mass destruction.

Ever the environmentalist, Turner used most of his ranches in the United States to support sustainability and eco-tourism.

He oversaw and encouraged the revival and growth of the American bison population.

In 2002, he established Ted’s Montana Grill, a restaurant chain known for having the world’s “largest bison menu.”

Turner also collaborated on creating and writing the animated children’s show Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990-1996), which focuses on young environmentalists.

Personal Life

Ted Turner has married thrice and has a total of five children. His first marriage was to Judy Nye. They had two children but separated in 1964.

He tied the knot with Jane Shirley Smith for his second marriage, and they had three children. However, they got divorced in 1988.

Finally, Turner married the famous actress and activist Jane Fonda in 1991, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2001.

Throughout his life, Turner has suffered various health challenges.

He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has openly discussed his use of lithium as a treatment. In a recent interview, Turner disclosed that he is battling Lewy body dementia.

“I regret that I wasn’t more successful with my marriages, but it is what it is.” ~ Ted Turner

Legacy and Impact

Turner’s impact on the media industry and environmental conservation cannot go unnoticed.

He revolutionized the news broadcasting industry by founding CNN and played a significant role in developing other networks, including TBS and TNT.

Turner is also known for his philanthropic efforts in environmental conservation and women’s empowerment.

He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions, including the National Conservation Achievement Award and induction into the Television Hall of Fame. Turner’s legacy is one of innovation, activism, and generosity.

Conclusion

Ted Turner’s life story serves as a source of inspiration to many. Had it not been for his contributions to the news industry, we likely wouldn’t receive global news the way we do today.

Turner’s legacy, marked by his innovative approach to business and dedication towards environmental causes, shows how remarkable a man he is.

“If I only had a little humility, I’d be perfect.” ~ Ted Turner

Ted Turner Timeline

1938:

Ted Turner is born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 19, 1938, to Robert Edward Turner II and Florence Turner.

1956:

After graduating from McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Ted Turner enrolls at Brown University.

1963:

Turner’s media empire began when he inherited his father’s billboard business, Turner Outdoor Advertising, following his father’s suicide.

1970s:

By the middle of the 1970s, Ted Turner had decided to extend the reach of his television station WTCG beyond Atlanta and connect it to satellites.

On December 17, 1976, WTCG started broadcasting a national feed. In 1979, it was renamed WTBS and became Superstation TBS.

1975:

Turner’s company was among the first to use a new communications satellite to broadcast his station (later renamed WTBS or TBS, the Turner Broadcasting System) to a nationwide cable television audience in 1975, resulting in a significant increase in revenue.

1980:

CNN broke the mold of television news when it debuted. as the first 24 hour news channel in the world, broadcasting to the American market at the time.

CNN International was introduced to a skeptical and unprepared world five years later.

1986:

Turner completed his acquisition of MGM/UA for $1.5 billion in cash and stock and renamed MGM Entertainment Co.

Kerkorian repurchased most of United Artists’ assets for roughly $480 million. This transaction resulted in the demise of the original United Artists.

1992:

Turner Broadcasting announced plans to launch Cartoon Network as a distribution channel for its animation library.

On October 1, 1992, the network became the first 24-hour cable channel devoted exclusively to animation programming.

1996:

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. was an American media and television conglomerate.

The company, founded by Ted Turner and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, merged with Time Warner (later WarnerMedia).

Warner Bros. Discovery now owns all of the firm’s assets as of April 2022. (WBD).

2003:

Turner resigned from his position as vice chairman of AOL Time Warner Inc.

He announced earlier in the year that he would not seek reelection to the board of what is now known as Time Warner.

1990:

The Turner Foundation (TFI) was established to aid in improving air and water quality, developing a sustainable energy future to protect our climate, protecting environmental health and wildlife habitat, and developing practices and policies to slow population growth.

1997:

Ted Turner announced a $1 billion donation to the United Nations on September 18.

Turner stunned the audience at a gala dinner hosted by the United Nations Association. He was present to receive UNA’s “Global Leadership Award” for his global advocacy.

Lessons We Can Learn From Ted Turner

The lessons we can learn from Ted Turner are numerous. Let’s look at two lessons based on his quotes.

Quote, Number One: “Life Is a Game. Money Is How We Keep Score.”

Let’s look at extreme wealth and how people may react to it.

Have you ever wondered what extremely rich people do with their money and why they keep wanting more? I know I have.

After considering the issue, I came up with the idea that it’s not about money. Instead, it becomes more like a game. If you lead during a game, the team doesn’t walk off the field because they are ahead.

They keep going until the end of the game. Then, because you have more goals than the other team, you don’t feel guilty and say I have too many and you don’t stop playing.

Ted Turner’s Quote confirms my realization. It’s a game, and it’s about the scoreboard.

Having a lot of money opens doors to a comfortable life and opportunities to do whatever you want. You may think these people have so much money, so why do they want more?

Well, one point is when you have a lot of money, the assets you have generate passive income from investments, real estate, etc. So money can generate more without extra effort.

Another point is opportunities are everywhere, and you can afford many of them, so your instinct is to act to benefit from them.

The third point is your threshold.

When you become accustomed to a higher income level, you no longer feel as rich as when you hit your first big windfall.

Instead, it feels normal, meaning you have to move ahead just as you would with an average level of wealth.

The final point about extreme wealth is that many individuals with massive wealth deal with philanthropy and give to causes they believe in.

That’s one of the best parts about being wealthy. You can build more wealth and give more.

Even though Ted Turner experienced massive wealth, he gave much to good causes.

One of your missions might be to use your wealth to do good. So do not be afraid to become wealthy. It is important to acquire your wealth ethically and use it without losing sight of your core values.

Quote, Number Two: “You Can Never Quit. Winners Never Quit, and Quitters Never Win.”

This lesson discusses quitting and why you should never give up.

I want to begin by saying, “know when to quit,” which means that sometimes you’re working towards something that won’t work.

Considering Ted Turner’s quote, “You Can Never Quit. Winners Never Quit, and Quitters Never Win,” how do these two statements work together?

If you are working towards a goal and things aren’t working out, consider changing your approach instead of giving up. Sometimes, you are doing something incorrectly or ineffectively. However, you can still reach your goal if you change your approach or seek assistance from qualified people.

When you’re pursuing a goal, unsure if you’ll be successful and if you should quit, you’re fighting an uphill battle from that point on.

Instead, eliminate all thoughts associated with quitting, lock the door, and throw away the key; there is no quitting, only progression.

When you have a goal, you must ensure that it’s worth your time and something you desire. Then, once you are certain, proceed until you reach your objective or as close as possible.

Furthermore, failure and quitting are different concepts.

For example, you might not achieve your goal, but you have done your best, exhausted all options, and did not give up. Although you reached the end, the outcome wasn’t what you wanted.

Conversely, quitting implies that you were on the path but gave up because it was too difficult or for similar reasons.

The damaging aspect of quitting is that it can become a habit if you do it frequently. So, instead of following through, you seize every opportunity, never achieving any of them because you are in the habit of quitting.

Sometimes, circumstances change, and your goal becomes unattainable. That does not imply quitting.

It does mean that circumstances have changed and you’ve gone as far as you can with the goal, but in my book, that’s not quitting; it’s the end of the story.

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9 Facts About Ted Tuner

1. Ted Turner was awarded two honorary Emmys.
2. Ted Turner’s Nicknames include “Mouth of the South,” “Terrible Ted,” and “Captain Outrageous.”
3. Turner Claims his secret to success is “Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise.”
4. Ted Turner is the former owner of the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Hawks.
5. Turner began working for his father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising, at the age of 12.
6. After his father died in 1963, he assumed the company’s leadership and renamed it Turner Broadcasting.
7. Turner is the second-largest individual landowner in the United States, with around 2 million acres. He also owns ranches and 45,000 bison in Argentina.
8. When World War II broke out, Ted’s father joined the Navy and took his wife and daughter with him, leaving Ted behind. The child felt abandoned.
9. Ted was expelled from Brown University for having a lady in his dorm room.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personality

The information in this post answers many of the questions about Ted Turner. This section provides a summary and any additional information.

Are Ted Turner and Jane Fonda still friends?

Fonda’s longstanding friendship with Grace & Frankie co-star Lily Tomlin has become a group of friends, despite her continued association with ex-husband Ted Turner.

What does Ted Turner own now?

He owns Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and South Dakota ranches through Turner Enterprises. His land holdings in America are 1,910,585 acres (7,731.86 km2), making him one of the largest private landowners in North America. (by acreage).

Does Ted Turner own CNN?

In 1996, Turner sold Time Warner CNN and the rest of his media company, Turner Broadcasting.

What illness is Jane Fonda diagnosed with?

The actress Jane Fonda has disclosed that she has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

What is Ted Turner famous for?

Ted Turner is an American broadcasting entrepreneur, philanthropist, sportsman, and environmentalist who developed a media empire encompassing multiple television stations he created, including CNN.

How did Ted Turner become a billionaire?

He launched the first 24-hour cable news station, Cable News Network (CNN). In addition, he developed WTBS, which was the forerunner of the superstation concept in cable television and was eventually renamed TBS.

Who is Ted Turner’s wife?

Turner was previously married to Judy Nye (1960–1964), Jane Shirley Smith (1965–1988), and actress Jane Fonda. (1991–2001).

What charities does Ted Turner support?

In addition to donating at least $1 million to the Red Cross, he has made substantial contributions to the Better World Fund and Heifer International.

WOMEN’S RIGHTS: Turner has given Planned Parenthood and the NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation over $4 million each.

What is Ted Turner’s political affiliation?

Ted Turner has not openly affiliated with a political party. Still, his policy stances are often center-left to left-wing.

Did Ted Turner serve in the military?

Released from college, he needed to complete his military service. He stated, “and I liked boats.” During his eight years as a reservist, Turner stated that the Coast Guard sent him to Charleston and Fort Lauderdale destinations.

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