State historical society gives Ted Turner his own marker

Media mogul Ted Turner now has his own historical marker.

The Georgia Historical Society recently dedicated a new “Georgia Business History Initiative” historical marker that recognizes the visionary founder of CNN.

The marker was unveiled in a private ceremony at the CNN Center that was attended by friends and family of Turner, along with hundreds of CNN and Turner Broadcasting employees.

“When Ted Turner personally launched CNN’s first broadcast on June 1, 1980, he forever changed the way the world received its news,” said Dr. W. Todd Groce, president and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society.

Each year, the Georgia Historical Society recognizes companies in the state to teach Georgia students, citizens and tourists alike about the pivotal role of Georgia’s leading businesses in the development of the state.

The historical marker reads:

Media mogul Ted Turner launched the Cable News Network — CNN — in Atlanta on June 1, 1980, as the world’s first 24-hour all-news network. Turner had revolutionized cable television by beaming Superstation TBS around the globe by satellite and was convinced there was a market for an all-news network that could reach audiences through the expanding cable and satellite network. Headquartered in Atlanta, CNN opened news bureaus around the world. Through its subsidiary channels and the competitors it inspired, CNN extended its reach globally, revolutionizing the broadcast industry and the way people receive news and information.

BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM 2015 Ted Turner (center) was on hand in July 2015 for the unveiling of Ted Turner Drive. The media mogul and founder of CNN was recently honored with a state historical marker at the CNN Center.