History of Ted Turner in Timeline
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.
1964: Sailing competitions and Olympic trials
In 1964, at the age of 26, Ted Turner participated in sailing competitions at the Savannah Yacht Club and competed in Olympic trials.
1965: Marriage to Jane Shirley Smith
In 1965, Ted Turner married Jane Shirley Smith.
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.
1974: America's Cup victory
In 1974, the America's Cup victory was being defended.
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.
1983: Feud with Rupert Murdoch Begins
In 1983, a feud between Ted Turner and Rupert Murdoch began when a Murdoch-sponsored yacht collided with Turner's yacht during the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, causing it to run aground. A drunken Turner verbally assaulted Murdoch and challenged him to a televised fistfight in Las Vegas.
1988: Divorce from Jane Shirley Smith
In 1988, Ted Turner divorced Jane Shirley Smith.
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.
1991: Marriage to Jane Fonda
In 1991, Ted Turner married actress Jane Fonda.
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.
1993: Publication of "It Ain't As Easy as It Looks"
In 1993, the biography "It Ain't As Easy as It Looks" by Porter Bibb was published, in which Ted Turner discussed his use of lithium and his struggles with mental illness.
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: Fox News established
In 1996, Murdoch's Fox News was established, becoming a rival to Turner's CNN. Time Warner declined to carry Fox News on their New York City cable network in response. Turner said he would "squash Rupert Murdoch like a bug."
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.
June 24, 1999: Vince McMahon's comments on Ted Turner
On June 24, 1999, on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Vince McMahon stated that Ted Turner was a "son-of-a-bitch".
1999: Joke About Polish Mine Detectors
In 1999, Ted Turner made a joke about Polish mine detectors when asked about Pope John Paul II, leading to an apology after a harsh response from the Polish deputy foreign minister Radek Sikorski.
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.
2001: Divorce from Jane Fonda
In 2001, Ted Turner divorced actress Jane Fonda.
2001: Purchase of Bluestem Ranch
In 2001, Ted Turner purchased the 43,000 acre Bluestem Ranch property primarily to raise bison.
2002: Accusation Against Israel
In 2002, Ted Turner accused Israel of terror, stating that both sides, Israelis and Palestinians, were involved in terrorism.
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.
2003: Fistfight challenge and warmonger accusation
In 2003, Turner challenged Murdoch to another fistfight and accused him of being a "warmonger" for supporting President George W. Bush's invasion of Iraq.
September 19, 2006: Comments on Iran's Nuclear Position
On September 19, 2006, Ted Turner commented on Iran's nuclear position, questioning why Iran shouldn't have nuclear weapons if other countries do.
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: Remarks on Global Warming and Population Control
In 2008, Ted Turner asserted that if global warming is not addressed, most people would die, and the rest would be cannibals. Turner also advocated for Americans having no more than two children.
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: Support for China's One-Child Policy
In 2010, Ted Turner stated that China's one-child policy should be implemented.
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.
2010: Comments on Environmental Disasters
In 2010, following the Deepwater Horizon disaster and the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster, Ted Turner suggested that God may be signaling a need to move away from offshore drilling and coal mining, advocating for solar, wind, and geothermal power.
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: Remarks about 9/11 Hijackers
In 2011, Ted Turner apologized for remarks about the 9/11 hijackers but defended himself by saying he sometimes uses the wrong words.
2011: Induction into National Sailing Hall of Fame
In 2011, Ted Turner was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame.
May 3, 2012: Television Interview with Piers Morgan
On May 3, 2012, in a television interview with Piers Morgan, Ted Turner mentioned he was dating four girlfriends, acknowledging that while it was complicated, he found it easier than being married.
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.
January 2016: Sale of Bluestem Ranch
In January 2016, the Osage Nation bought Ted Turner's 43,000-acre Bluestem Ranch in Osage County, Oklahoma.
2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Ted Turner endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the U.S. presidential election.
2018: Considered run for President
In 2018, Ted Turner revealed he had once considered a run for president when he was married to Jane Fonda, who told him she would leave him if he did.
2018: Diagnosis of Lewy body dementia
In 2018, during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Ted Turner revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.
2019: Turner and Murdoch Make Amends
In 2019, Ted Turner revealed in an interview with Variety that he and Rupert Murdoch have since made amends.
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".
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