Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ted Turner

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ted Turner made an impact.

Ted Turner is an American entrepreneur and media mogul best known for founding CNN, the world's first 24-hour cable news channel. He also established WTBS, popularizing the superstation concept, along with TBS and TNT television networks. Turner's media empire revolutionized television news and entertainment. He is also a philanthropist.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1974: First America's Cup Attempt

In 1974, Ted Turner first attempted to win the America's Cup, losing in the defender's trials aboard the 12 Metre class yacht US–25 Mariner. He was defeated by Ted Hood aboard US–26 Courageous.

November 18, 1976: Matthews signs with the Braves

On November 18, 1976, Gary Matthews signed a five-year, $1.875 million contract with the Braves.

1976: Foundation of Turner Enterprises, Inc.

In 1976, Turner Enterprises, Inc. (TEI) was founded to manage the business interests, land holdings, and investments of Ted Turner.

January 3, 1977: Suspension by Commissioner of Baseball

On January 3, 1977, Ted Turner was suspended for one year by Commissioner of Baseball Bowie Kuhn for his actions while pursuing the signing of free agent Gary Matthews. This suspension was later successfully appealed.

May 11, 1977: Turner Takes Over as Interim Manager

On May 11, 1977, with the Atlanta Braves on a 16-game losing streak, Ted Turner took over as interim manager for one game after sending manager Dave Bristol on a "scouting trip." National League president Chub Feeney ordered him to stop, citing major league rules.

July 4, 1977: Sports Illustrated Cover

On July 4, 1977, Ted Turner appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated after winning the 1977 America's Cup.

September 1977: Victory in the America's Cup

From September 13 to 18, 1977, Ted Turner, in command of Courageous, defeated the challenger Australia, skippered by Noel Robins, in a four-race sweep, winning by a margin of 2 minutes and 23 seconds.

1977: Hands-on Owner of the Braves

1977 marked the peak of Ted Turner's hands-on involvement as the owner of the Atlanta Braves.

1977: Joining America's Cup defense syndicate

In 1977, Ted Turner joined the America's Cup defense syndicate formed by Hood and Lee Loomis for the New York Yacht Club. The group owned the Courageous but decided to construct a new 12 Metre - US–28 Independence - to defend the 1974 America's Cup victory.

June 1978: Braves Stripped of First-Round Selections

In June 1978, the Braves were stripped of their first-round selections in the draft of high school and college players, but the draft selections were reinstated.

1979: Victory in the Fastnet Race

In 1979, during the Fastnet Race, Ted Turner skippered the S&S-designed 61-foot Tenacious to a corrected-time victory, despite a storm that led to the deaths of 15 participants.

1981: Publication of "Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way"

In 1981, Christian Williams published the biography "Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way," which chronicled the founding of CNN.

1990: Creation of Turner Foundation and Captain Planet

In 1990, Ted Turner created the Turner Foundation, dedicated to philanthropic grants addressing environmental and overpopulation concerns. Also in 1990, he created Captain Planet, an environmental superhero, and produced the related television series Captain Planet and the Planeteers and its sequel series.

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1992: Cartoon Network Core Library

In 1992, the pre-May 1986 MGM library (including Warner Bros. properties like early Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, plus Fleischer Studios and Famous Studios Popeye cartoons from Paramount and United Artists) became the core of Cartoon Network.

1993: Induction into America's Cup Hall of Fame

In 1993, Ted Turner was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame.

1993: Founded Moscow Independent Broadcasting Corporation

In 1993, Turner and Russian journalist Eduard Sagalajev founded the Moscow Independent Broadcasting Corporation (MIBC), which operated the sixth frequency in Russian television and founded the Russian channel TV-6.

1993: Considered Acquiring Paramount Pictures

In 1993, Turner considered acquiring Paramount Pictures but withdrew after a meeting with then-QVC head Barry Diller.

1995: Braves Win World Series

In 1995, the Atlanta Braves, still under Ted Turner's ownership, won the World Series.

October 10, 1996: Merger with Time Warner

On October 10, 1996, Turner Broadcasting System merged with Time Warner, with Turner becoming vice chairman and head of Time Warner and Turner's cable networks division.

1996: Discussing Population Growth

In 1996, while addressing the issue of population growth at a Montana gathering, Ted Turner emphasized that he was not advocating for eliminating anyone, stating he had five children himself, and proceeded to discuss hunger and poverty, as well as methods to tackle these challenges.

1996: Time Warner Merger

In 1996, with the Time Warner merger, Cartoon Network's archives gained the later Warner Bros. cartoon library and other Time Warner-owned cartoons.

January 11, 2001: Time Warner Purchased by AOL

On January 11, 2001, Time Warner was purchased by America Online (AOL) to become AOL Time Warner, a merger which Turner initially supported.

March 2001: Jamie Kellner succeeds Turner

In March 2001, Jamie Kellner succeeded Turner as head of Turner Broadcasting.

2002: Levin's Resignation

In fall 2001, Turner's outburst against AOL Time Warner CEO Gerald Levin eventually led to Levin's announced resignation effective in early 2002, being replaced by Richard Parsons.

October 2003: Time Warner Drops 'AOL' from Name

In October 2003, Time Warner dropped "AOL" from its name.

2003: Resignation from AOL Time Warner

In 2003, Ted Turner resigned as Vice Chairman of AOL Time Warner.

2006: Resignation from Time Warner Board

In 2006, Ted Turner resigned from the Time Warner board of directors.

2007: Sale of Atlanta Braves to Liberty Media

In 2007, the Atlanta Braves were sold by Time Warner to Liberty Media.

2007: Expiration of TV-6 License

In 2007, the license for TV-6 expired, and there was no application for renewal.

2008: Publication of "Call Me Ted"

In 2008, Ted Turner wrote "Call Me Ted," a book documenting his career and personal life.

December 2009: AOL Spun Off from Time Warner

In December 2009, AOL was spun off from the Time Warner conglomerate as a separate company.

2009: Meeting of Business Moguls

In 2009, Ted Turner met with other business moguls, including Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, George Soros, and David Rockefeller, to discuss issues ranging from the environment to healthcare. The group also addressed population growth, with some discussion of vaccines and immunization efforts.

2010: Joining The Giving Pledge

In 2010, Ted Turner joined Warren Buffett and Bill Gates's The Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charity upon his death.

2010: Named a Georgia Trustee

In 2010, Ted Turner was named a Georgia Trustee by the Georgia Historical Society, in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia, for his accomplishments and community service.

2011: Solar Array Construction Completed

In 2011, Ted Turner and TEI completed construction of a 25-panel solar array in the company's parking lot, which provides solar power to the Turner Building and its businesses.

2011: Induction into National Sailing Hall of Fame

In 2011, Ted Turner was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame.

January 23, 2013: Robert Edward "Teddy" Turner IV runs for Congress

On January 23, 2013, Robert Edward "Teddy" Turner IV, one of Ted Turner's children, announced his candidacy in the South Carolina Republican primary for the Congressional seat that was open after Tim Scott's appointment to the US Senate. He came in 4th place, receiving 7.90% of the vote.

June 2014: 21st Century Fox Bid for Time Warner

In June 2014, Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox made an $80 billion bid for Time Warner.

August 5, 2014: Withdrawal of 21st Century Fox Bid

On August 5, 2014, the Time Warner board rejected the offer from Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox and it was formally withdrawn.

2021: Vince McMahon dismisses AEW comparison to Turner's WCW

In 2021, when asked about the upstart AEW in comparison to Ted Turner's WCW, Vince McMahon dismissed AEW, stating that "it certainly is not a situation where 'rising tides' because that was when Ted Turner was coming after us with all of Time Warner's assets as well".