Dave Walker and Lois Hart discuss Ted Turner's legacy
Updated
Updated · KCRA Sacramento · May 7
Dave Walker and Lois Hart discuss Ted Turner's legacy
11 articles · Updated · KCRA Sacramento · May 7
Turner, the CNN founder, died on Wednesday aged 87, and the former first CNN anchors reflected on his impact in a KCRA 3 interview in Sacramento.
They said Turner transformed television journalism after launching the 24-hour cable news network in 1980, making global news coverage more compelling and important.
Media tycoon or eco-philanthropist: What will be Ted Turner's most enduring legacy?
What is the future for the two million acres of land and billion-dollar foundations Turner left behind?
How will Turner's public battle with Lewy body dementia advance the fight against this misunderstood disease?
From CNN’s Launch to Global Philanthropy: The Life and Impact of Media Titan Ted Turner
Overview
Ted Turner, who founded CNN in 1980, revolutionized news by creating the first 24-hour cable news network, changing how the world consumes information. Despite early struggles, CNN’s live coverage of the 1990 Gulf War cemented its global reputation and inspired competitors like MSNBC and Fox News, leading to a fragmented media landscape with new challenges. Beyond media, Turner built a vast empire including TNT and Cartoon Network, which he sold to Time Warner in 1996. He was also a major philanthropist, founding the United Nations Foundation and leading environmental efforts like restoring bison herds. Diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in 2018, Turner passed away in 2026, leaving a complex legacy of innovation and impact.