Ted Turner

Network Creator/Executive

"Our future is in our hands. We do have global communications, and we know what’s going on all over the world, and we know what’s right, and we know what’s wrong. The question is, are we going to do something about it?"

About This Interview

Ted Turner was interviewed for nearly three-and-a-half hours (in two sessions) in Santa Monica, CA and Atlanta, GA. Turner talked about his start in the billboard industry, which eventually directed him into the broadcasting industry. In 1970, he purchased a small independent television station in Atlanta. In 1976, he leased space on RCA's communication satellite, SATCOM II, which allowed him to launch the world’s first superstation (later known at TBS). Turner also briefly talked about the world’s first 24-hour television news station, CNN. The second part of his interview was conducted in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Turner spoke at length on the creation of CNN and TNT. He also discussed the colorization of black and white movies and Warner Bros. The two-part interview was conducted by Michael Rosen on June 12 and December 6, 1999.