Anderson Cooper Honors Ted Turner, 87, at Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront
Updated
Updated · Variety · May 13
Anderson Cooper Honors Ted Turner, 87, at Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront
7 articles · Updated · Variety · May 13
Madison Square Garden Theatre opened Warner Bros. Discovery’s annual upfront with Anderson Cooper honoring Ted Turner, who died last week at 87, before the company began pitching advertisers.
Cooper called Turner a “bold visionary” whose founding of CNN and Turner Broadcasting expanded access to information and reshaped television, ending with Turner’s line: “work like hell and advertise.”
The tribute carried extra weight because the event was once the Turner upfront, and Turner brands including CNN, TNT and TBS still remain central to Warner Bros. Discovery’s advertising showcase.
Turner transformed the industry by launching CNN in 1980, helping pioneer national basic cable and striking sports-rights deals for his superstation; he disclosed in 2018 that he had Lewy body dementia.
Can Ted Turner's 'work like hell and advertise' mantra still guide a modern media giant to success?
How will Turner's public battle with dementia influence the global race for new treatments and patient care?
What becomes of Turner's vast conservation empire, a legacy of bison herds and protected American wilderness?
Ted Turner’s Enduring Legacy: From CNN’s 24-Hour News Revolution to $1 Billion in Global Philanthropy
Overview
Ted Turner's passing in May 2026 led to an immediate wave of tributes, reflecting on his profound legacy as a media visionary. After revealing his struggle with Lewy body dementia in 2018, Turner was remembered for creating CNN in 1980, which became the world’s first 24-hour cable news network and changed news broadcasting forever, especially during major events like the Gulf War. His vision expanded into a vast broadcasting empire, influencing how people access information. The report highlights how Turner's innovations and commitment to continuous news coverage shaped the media industry and inspired generations.