Ted Turner, the US businessman who revolutionised television news with the launch of CNN, has died at the age of 87, the network announced on Wednesday.

Turner, known for his bold personality and wide-ranging business ventures, had been living with Lewy Body Dementia, a progressive neurological disorder.

He transformed global broadcasting in 1980 by founding CNN, the first US network dedicated to 24-hour news coverage. The channel gained worldwide prominence during its reporting of the Gulf War, delivering continuous live updates that reshaped how audiences consumed breaking news.

CNN’s coverage of major global events — including the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Tiananmen Square crackdown — helped establish its reputation as a leading international news source. Its decision to maintain live reporting from Baghdad during US airstrikes further cemented its influence.

Mark Thompson, CEO of CNN Worldwide, paid tribute to Turner, describing him as a foundational figure in modern journalism. “Ted is the giant on whose shoulders we stand… He was and always will be the presiding spirit of CNN,” he said.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1938, Turner attended military school and later enrolled at Brown University, though he did not graduate. He took over his family’s struggling advertising business following his father’s death and expanded it into a media enterprise.

His acquisition of an Atlanta television station in 1970 marked his entry into broadcasting, laying the groundwork for what would become the Turner Broadcasting System and eventually CNN.

Turner’s success helped inspire rival networks such as Fox News and MSNBC, while his broader media empire grew to include channels such as TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, and Turner Classic Movies.

Beyond media, Turner was also known for his philanthropy, environmental advocacy, and involvement in sports, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the global news industry.