The tycoon who founded CNN and launched a devoted channel that played around-the-clock coverage of the same news event will celebrate his 86th birthday. That is Ted Turner. His astonishing legacy is already a source of celebration in a new docuseries called Call Me Ted. The six-part series chronicles Turner’s life from the early years to creating CNN and becoming an impactful philanthropist. The series premieres on Max.
A special preview of the docuseries was held on Tuesday night at the Atlanta History Center, where media figures – including former UN Ambassador Andrew Young and CNN CEO Mark Thompson – came together to pay tribute to Turner. Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN, saluted Turner by leading the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Turner, who appeared via Zoom from his Montana ranch.
Zaslav talked about Turner’s extraordinary influence of the highest order, such as CNN’s coverage of the Gulf War in 1991, which changed the game of news coverage around the clock. He believed that it was Turner who helped in forming the careers of many in the media and for his undying vision to connect the world.
Produced by Joni Levin, the film is Keith Clarke-directed. Joni shared that it has been her heartfelt desire to capture the whole life in this document.
Answer. Featuring interviews from the people closest to Turner, his children, ex-wife Jane Fonda, and other leaders in the media industry such as John Malone and Brian Roberts, it is an honest portrait of Turner, both by battling Lewy body dementia and by celebrating his influence which is timeless in nature media and philanthropy.
The docuseries revisits Turner’s iconic achievements while introducing his legacy to a new generation, cementing his position as one of the media pioneers.
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