Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III (born November 19, 1938) is an American media proprietor and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable television network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television. As a philanthropist, he is known for his $1 billion gift to support UN causes, which created the United Nations Foundation, a public charity to broaden support for the UN. Turner is Chairman of the board of directors.
Turner's media empire began with his father's billboard business, which he took over at 24 after his father's suicide. The business, Turner Outdoor Advertising, was worth $1 million when Turner took it over in 1963. Purchase of an Atlanta UHF station in 1970 began the Turner Broadcasting System. Cable News Network revolutionized news media, covering the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 and the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Turner turned the Atlanta Braves baseball team into a nationally popular franchise and launched the charitable Goodwill Games.
Turner's penchant for controversial statements earned him the nickname "The Mouth of the South". Turner was married to actress and political activist Jane Fonda. They divorced.
In addition to donations, Turner has devoted his assets to environmentalism and capitalism. He owns more land than any other American and uses much of it for ranches to repopularize bison meat (for his Ted's Montana Grill chain), amassing the largest herd in the world. He also created the environmental animation Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Turner was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame on 26 April 2007.