Robert Edward Turner III significantly impacted the media landscape. As an entrepreneur and media proprietor, he launched CNN, the first 24-hour cable news channel, revolutionizing news broadcasting. His creation of WTBS, which transitioned into TBS, pioneered the superstation concept, further transforming cable television. Turner's entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic endeavors have left an indelible mark on the media industry.
November 19, 1938: Birth of Ted Turner
Robert Edward Turner III, later known as Ted Turner, was born on November 19, 1938.
1960: Turner's First Marriage
Ted Turner married Judy Nye in 1960.
1960: Returns to the South
Ted Turner returned to the South in late 1960 to manage the Macon, Georgia branch of his father's business.
March 1963: Takes Over Turner Outdoor Advertising
Ted Turner took over his father's billboard business, Turner Outdoor Advertising, in March 1963.
March 1963: Becomes President of Turner Advertising Company
Following his father's suicide in March 1963, Ted Turner became president and chief executive of Turner Advertising Company.
1964: Turner Enters Olympic Sailing Trials
At age 26, Ted Turner participated in sailing competitions at the Savannah Yacht Club and competed in the Olympic trials in 1964.
1964: Turner's First Divorce
Ted Turner divorced Judy Nye in 1964.
1965: Turner's Second Marriage
Ted Turner married Jane Shirley Smith in 1965.
1969: Purchases Television Station WJRJ
In 1969, Ted Turner purchased a struggling television station in Atlanta, UHF Channel 17 WJRJ (now WPCH).
1970: Founds Turner Broadcasting System
In 1970, Ted Turner purchased an Atlanta UHF station, marking the beginning of the Turner Broadcasting System.
1972: Acquires Rights to Broadcast Atlanta Braves and Hawks Games
By 1972, WTCG (formerly WJRJ), under Turner's ownership, had secured the rights to broadcast Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Hawks games.
1974: Turner's First America's Cup Attempt
Ted Turner made his first attempt to win the America's Cup in 1974, competing in the defender's trials aboard the yacht Mariner but ultimately failing to qualify.
November 18, 1976: Signing of Gary Matthews
On November 18, 1976, the Braves signed Gary Matthews to a five-year contract.
December 17, 1976: WTCG Becomes Superstation
On December 17, 1976, WTCG transitioned to a "Super-Station," broadcasting nationwide via satellite to cable TV providers.
1976: Turner Enterprises Founded
Turner Enterprises, Inc. (TEI) was established in 1976 to manage Ted Turner's diverse business interests, land holdings, and investments.
1976: Purchases Atlanta Braves
Ted Turner purchased the Atlanta Braves baseball team in 1976.
January 3, 1977: Suspension by Bowie Kuhn
On January 3, 1977, Turner was suspended by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for his actions in pursuing free agent Gary Matthews.
May 11, 1977: Brief Stint as Braves Manager
On May 11, 1977, Turner briefly took over as manager of the Braves during a losing streak.
July 4, 1977: Turner Featured on Sports Illustrated
Ted Turner's selection as skipper of the yacht Courageous for the 1977 America's Cup defense landed him on the cover of Sports Illustrated on July 4, 1977.
September 18, 1977: Turner Wins America's Cup
On September 18, 1977, Ted Turner achieved victory in the America's Cup, skippering Courageous to a 4-0 win against Australia.
1977: Initial Contact for 24-Hour News Channel
In 1977, Reese Schonfeld approached Ted Turner with a proposal for a 24-hour news channel, but Turner initially rejected the idea.
1977: Purchases Atlanta Hawks
In 1977, Ted Turner acquired the Atlanta Hawks basketball team.
1977: Hands-on Ownership of the Braves
In 1977, Turner's hands-on approach to owning the Braves reached its peak.
June 1978: Reinstatement of Draft Picks
Turner successfully appealed his suspension and had the Braves' draft picks reinstated in June 1978.
1978: Reviving the 24-Hour News Channel Idea
In 1978, Ted Turner, having reconsidered the concept, contacted Reese Schonfeld to discuss launching a 24-hour news channel. Schonfeld outlined the requirements, including an estimated staff, initial investment, and operating costs.
1978: Acquires WTBS Call Sign
Turner acquired the WTBS call sign from a student-operated radio station at MIT in 1978, rebranding his "Super-Station."
1979: Turner Wins Fastnet Race
Ted Turner skippered the yacht Tenacious to a corrected-time victory in the challenging 1979 Fastnet Race, a race marred by a severe storm that claimed the lives of 15 participants.
June 1, 1980: CNN's Launch and Turner's Apocalyptic Vision
On June 1, 1980, CNN debuted. Ted Turner famously declared that CNN would continue broadcasting until the end of the world, even planning to play "Nearer, My God, to Thee" as the final broadcast.
1981: "Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way" Released
Christian Williams' biography of Ted Turner, "Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way," was published in 1981, documenting the founding of CNN.
1981: Acquisition of Brut Productions
Turner Broadcasting System acquired Brut Productions from Faberge Inc. in 1981.
1982: Leadership Change at CNN
In 1982, following disagreements, Turner replaced Schonfeld as CEO of CNN with Burt Reinhardt.
1983: Yacht Collision and Feud with Murdoch
In 1983, a Murdoch-sponsored yacht collided with Turner's yacht during a race, sparking a long-running feud between the two.
May 1986: Acquisition and Partial Resale of MGM/UA
In May 1986, Ted Turner bought MGM/UA Entertainment Co. but due to high debt, sold parts back to Kirk Kerkorian and other companies, retaining the pre-May 1986 film and television library.
August 1986: Establishment of Turner Entertainment Co.
In August 1986, Turner Entertainment was formed to manage the film and television library acquired in the MGM/UA deal.
1986: Founds Goodwill Games
In 1986, Ted Turner established the Goodwill Games, aiming to reduce tensions between capitalist and communist nations.
1986: Film Library Acquisition and Colorization Controversy
In 1986, after acquiring MGM's pre-1986 film library, Turner began colorizing some black-and-white films, sparking criticism from film enthusiasts and professionals. This controversy partly led to the creation of the National Film Registry.
1986: CNN Covers Challenger Disaster
In 1986, CNN, founded by Ted Turner, provided extensive coverage of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
1988: Purchase of Jim Crockett Promotions and the Start of the Monday Night Wars
Ted Turner bought Jim Crockett Promotions, renaming it World Championship Wrestling (WCW), initiating a rivalry with the World Wrestling Federation known as the "Monday Night Wars".
1988: Turner's Second Divorce
Ted Turner divorced Jane Shirley Smith in 1988.
1988: Launch of TNT
Ted Turner launched Turner Network Television (TNT) in 1988, initially showcasing older movies and television shows, later incorporating original programs.
November 1989: Receives Honorary Degree from Brown University
Ted Turner received an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University in November 1989.
1989: Turner Tomorrow Fellowship
In 1989, Ted Turner established the Turner Tomorrow Fellowship, a writing competition for fiction offering solutions to global issues. Daniel Quinn's "Ishmael" won the competition.
1990: Creation of the Turner Foundation and Captain Planet
In 1990, Ted Turner founded the Turner Foundation, focused on environmental and overpopulation issues, and created the environmentally focused superhero, Captain Planet, leading to the animated series "Captain Planet and the Planeteers".
1991: Turner's Third Marriage
Ted Turner married actress Jane Fonda in 1991.
1992: Launch of Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network was launched in 1992, utilizing Turner's pre-May 1986 MGM library, including Looney Tunes, Merrie Melodies, and Popeye cartoons.
1993: Turner Inducted into America's Cup Hall of Fame
Ted Turner was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1993.
1993: "It Ain't As Easy as It Looks" Released
Porter Bibb's biography, "It Ain't As Easy as It Looks," was published in 1993, offering insights into Ted Turner's life, including his use of lithium and struggles with mental illness.
1993: Founding of MIBC and TV-6
Ted Turner and Eduard Sagalajev co-founded the Moscow Independent Broadcasting Corporation (MIBC) in 1993, which operated TV-6, the sixth frequency on Russian television.
1994: Launch of Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) launched in 1994, primarily airing films from Turner's pre-1986 MGM library and pre-1950 Warner Bros. films.
1995: Braves Win World Series
In 1995, the Atlanta Braves, still under Turner's ownership, won the World Series.
1995: Atlanta Braves Win World Series
The Atlanta Braves, owned by Ted Turner, won the World Series in 1995.
October 10, 1996: Turner Broadcasting System Merges with Time Warner
On October 10, 1996, Turner Broadcasting System merged with Time Warner, with Turner becoming vice chairman and head of Time Warner Entertainment and Turner's cable networks.
1996: Time Warner Merger and Expansion of Cartoon Network Library
Following the merger between Turner Broadcasting System and Time Warner in 1996, Cartoon Network's library expanded with later Warner Bros. cartoons.
1996: Turner Foundation and Population Growth
In 1996, Turner addressed population growth concerns and his efforts through the Turner Foundation.
1996: Turner Field Opens
Turner Field, named after Ted Turner, opened in 1996 after initially serving as Centennial Olympic Stadium for the 1996 Summer Olympics.
June 24, 1999: Vince McMahon's Criticism of Turner
On June 24, 1999, during an appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Vince McMahon publicly expressed his dislike for Ted Turner, calling him a "son-of-a-bitch."
1999: Joke about Polish Mine Detectors
In 1999, Turner apologized for a joke he made about Polish mine detectors.
January 11, 2001: AOL Time Warner Merger
On January 11, 2001, Time Warner Entertainment merged with America Online (AOL) to form AOL Time Warner, a move initially supported by Ted Turner.
March 2001: Turner Succeeded as Head of Turner Broadcasting
In March 2001, Jamie Kellner succeeded Ted Turner as the head of Turner Broadcasting.
2001: Co-founds Nuclear Threat Initiative
In 2001, Ted Turner co-founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) with Sam Nunn. NTI is a non-partisan organization focused on reducing global reliance on and preventing the spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
2001: Sale of WCW
WCW was sold to the WWF in 2001 under AOL Time Warner.
2001: Turner Purchases Bluestem Ranch
Ted Turner purchased the 43,000-acre Bluestem Ranch in Osage County, Oklahoma, in 2001, primarily for bison ranching.
2001: Turner's Third Divorce
Ted Turner divorced Jane Fonda in 2001.
2002: Levin's Resignation and Parsons' Appointment
In 2002, Gerald Levin resigned as CEO of AOL Time Warner, and Richard Parsons replaced him. Parsons invited Turner back to provide strategic advice.
2002: Turner Accuses Israel of Terrorism
In 2002, Ted Turner sparked controversy by accusing both Israel and Palestine of terrorism, citing the disparity in their military power. He argued that while the Palestinians resorted to suicide bombings out of desperation, Israel possessed a powerful military.
October 2003: AOL Dropped from Name
In October 2003, the company dropped "AOL" from its name, becoming Time Warner.
2003: Challenge and Accusation
In 2003, Turner challenged Murdoch to a fistfight and accused him of being a "warmonger" for supporting the invasion of Iraq.
2003: Turner Resigns as Vice Chairman
Ted Turner resigned as vice chairman of AOL Time Warner in 2003.
September 19, 2006: Comments on Iran's Nuclear Position
On September 19, 2006, Turner commented on Iran's nuclear position, questioning why they couldn't have a certain number of nuclear weapons.
2006: Turner Resigns from Time Warner Board
Turner resigned from the Time Warner board of directors in 2006.
2007: Sale of the Braves
In 2007, Time Warner sold the Atlanta Braves to Liberty Media.
2007: TV-6 License Expiration
The license for TV-6 expired in 2007 without renewal.
2008: "Call Me Ted" Released
Ted Turner published his autobiography, "Call Me Ted," in 2008, providing a firsthand account of his career and personal life.
2008: Turner's Warning on Global Warming
During a 2008 appearance on PBS's Charlie Rose, Ted Turner expressed his concerns about global warming. He warned that inaction could lead to widespread death and cannibalism, advocating for population control measures such as limiting American families to two children.
December 2009: AOL Spin-off
AOL was spun off from Time Warner as a separate company in December 2009.
2009: Meeting with Business Moguls
In 2009, Turner met with other business leaders to discuss issues like the environment, healthcare, and population growth.
2010: Turner Joins The Giving Pledge
In 2010, Ted Turner demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy by joining The Giving Pledge, initiated by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. This commitment involved pledging to donate the majority of his wealth to charity upon his death.
2010: Turner Supports One-Child Policy
In 2010, Ted Turner voiced his support for China's one-child policy, further emphasizing his stance on population control.
2010: Comments on Disasters and Energy
In 2010, Turner commented on the Deepwater Horizon and Upper Big Branch Mine disasters, suggesting they were signs to move towards renewable energy.
2010: Turner Named Georgia Trustee
Ted Turner was honored as a Georgia Trustee in 2010, a recognition bestowed by the Georgia Historical Society and the Governor of Georgia for his accomplishments and community service, reflecting the ideals of the original Trustees who governed the Georgia colony.
2011: Turner Inducted into National Sailing Hall of Fame
Ted Turner's contributions to sailing were recognized with his induction into the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011.
2011: John C. Malone Becomes Largest Landowner
Ted Turner, once the largest private landowner in the United States, was surpassed by John C. Malone in 2011.
2011: Turner Apologizes and Defends Past Remarks
In 2011, Ted Turner issued an apology for his 2002 comments on Israel and Palestine, as well as his earlier remarks about the 9/11 hijackers. While apologizing, he also defended himself, attributing his controversial statements to his unscripted speaking style and occasional poor word choices.
2011: Turner Enterprises Installs Solar Array
In 2011, Ted Turner and Turner Enterprises, Inc. demonstrated their commitment to renewable energy by installing a 25-panel solar array at the Turner Building in Atlanta, powering their headquarters and businesses.
May 3, 2012: Turner Discusses Relationships
During a televised interview with Piers Morgan on May 3, 2012, Ted Turner revealed that he was dating four women simultaneously, acknowledging the complexities of his relationships while expressing a preference for this arrangement over marriage.
January 23, 2013: Turner's Son Enters Politics
Robert Edward "Teddy" Turner IV, Ted Turner's son, announced his candidacy for the South Carolina Republican primary on January 23, 2013, aiming to fill the congressional seat vacated by Tim Scott. He finished fourth in the primary.
2013: Receives Lone Sailor Award
Ted Turner was honored with the Lone Sailor Award by the United States Navy Memorial in 2013.
June 2014: Murdoch's Bid for Time Warner
In June 2014, Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox made an $80 billion bid for Time Warner.
August 5, 2014: Murdoch's Bid Withdrawn
On August 5, 2014, Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox withdrew its $80 billion bid for Time Warner after being rejected.
2015: Turner's End-of-the-World Tape Leaks
A video commissioned by Turner of a marching band playing "Nearer, My God, to Thee", intended for broadcast at the end of the world, was leaked from CNN's database in 2015.
January 2016: Osage Nation Acquires Bluestem Ranch
In January 2016, the Osage Nation purchased the Bluestem Ranch from Ted Turner.
2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
Turner endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in 2016.
2018: Consideration of Presidential Run
In 2018, Turner revealed he had once considered running for president.
2018: Turner Reveals Dementia Diagnosis
In a 2018 interview on CBS Sunday Morning, Ted Turner publicly disclosed his diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.
2019: Reconciliation with Murdoch
In 2019, Turner revealed he and Murdoch had made amends.
2021: McMahon Downplays AEW
In 2021, Vince McMahon dismissed the rising wrestling promotion AEW, comparing it unfavorably to Ted Turner's WCW, which had the backing of Time Warner's resources.