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Ted Turner, CNN Pioneer, Dies at 87

5/6/2026

27 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav emailed staff Wednesday to announce Ted Turner’s death at 87.
Turner founded CNN in June 1980, then added TNT in 1988 and Turner Classic Movies in 1994.
He disclosed a Lewy body dementia diagnosis in 2018.
Warner Bros. Discovery is pursuing a $111 billion merger with Paramount Skydance slated for September 2026, which would grant Zaslav an exit package over $550 million.

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Story summary

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav emailed staff Wednesday to announce Ted Turner’s death at 87.
Turner founded CNN in June 1980, then added TNT in 1988 and Turner Classic Movies in 1994.
He disclosed a Lewy body dementia diagnosis in 2018.
Warner Bros. Discovery is pursuing a $111 billion merger with Paramount Skydance slated for September 2026, which would grant Zaslav an exit package over $550 million.