Ted Turner transformed cable news by founding CNN, built TBS and TNT, owned the Atlanta Braves, and became a leading philanthropist.

Ted Turner, the brash and outspoken television pioneer who created a media empire and transformed the news business by creating CNN and introducing the 24-hour cable news cycle, has died.

“Ted was an intensely involved and committed leader, intrepid, fearless and always willing to back a hunch and trust his own judgement,” CNN CEO Mark Thompson said in a statement.