The man who changed TV news

When the U.S. and Israel bomb Iran and start a war, we know about it moments after it’s started — sometimes even moments before. When Russian tanks cross the border into Ukraine, we watch as it’s happening. This access to immediacy — our ability to be there as history is unfolding — much of that is possible, thanks to the vision of CNN founder Ted Turner.

Turner transformed the media industry and revolutionized television news when he launched the Cable News Network — CNN — in 1980. It was the country’s first 24-hour news channel. Turner died Wednesday. He was 87.

NPR’s Ailsa Chang speaks with CNN Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour about Turner’s legacy.

For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Erika Ryan and Karen Zamora, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.

It was edited by Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy