Reactions from across television, journalism, and sports continued to emerge following the death of Ted Turner, the media executive who founded CNN and helped reshape cable television. Turner died at the age of 87, according to Deadline. Turner founded CNN in 1980, launching the first 24-hour cable news network and permanently changing television journalism.
One of the most notable reactions came from wrestling icon Ric Flair, who reflected on Turner’s impact on professional wrestling and television through a tribute shared on X. Flair praised Turner for taking risks and helping expand wrestling through Turner Broadcasting’s ownership of WCW.
“So Sorry To Hear About The Passing Of The Great Ted Turner!” Flair wrote, according to Deadline. He later described Turner as “The Man That Created Cable Before Cable Was Cool!” while also thanking him for “creating so many opportunities for so many wrestlers because of his love for wrestling.” Flair’s tribute focused heavily on Turner’s willingness to invest in wrestling when many television executives did not see value in the industry.
In another Deadline report, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav also reflected on Turner’s impact following news of his death. Zaslav sent a memo to staff describing Turner as a “visionary” and “trailblazer” who permanently changed television and media. “Ted’s entrepreneurial spirit, creative ambition, and willingness to take risks changed the media industry forever,” Zaslav wrote.
The same Deadline article notes Rupert Murdoch also issued a public statement following Turner’s death, reflecting on their rivalry and long history in the media industry. Murdoch described Turner as “a true original” and praised his willingness to take risks that changed television forever. “Ted was a fierce competitor, but also a visionary who transformed news and broadcasting,” Murdoch said in the statement.
Turner and Murdoch were longtime rivals during the rise of cable television in the 1980s and 1990s, frequently competing for influence as both men expanded their media empires through CNN and Fox News. Their rivalry became well known throughout the industry, with the two often publicly criticizing one another while competing for dominance in television news and entertainment.
Actor and activist Jane Fonda (Klute, Grace and Frankie), who was previously married to Turner, also shared an emotional tribute following his death. In a statement posted to Instagram, Fonda reflected on Turner’s personality and its impact on her life.
“He swept into my life, a gloriously handsome, deeply romantic, swashbuckling pirate,” Fonda wrote. She also praised Turner’s intelligence, humor, and ambition, describing him as someone with “a big life, a brilliant mind and a soaring sense of humor.”
Fonda’s tribute focused not only on Turner’s media legacy but also on their personal relationship. She reflected on how Turner helped build her confidence and described him as someone who made a lasting impact on her life long after their marriage ended.
The reactions following Turner’s death reflect the wide influence he had across entertainment, journalism, and sports. Many of the tributes focused on Turner’s willingness to take risks, invest in new ideas, and build platforms that reshaped television for decades.