Turner Broadcasting
History
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS) is an American television and media conglomerate, part of AT&T's WarnerMedia. Founded by cable television pioneer Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III in 1965, the company and its assets were purchased by Time Warner (now WarnerMedia) in 1996.
Turner Broadcasting originated as a small independent television station, WJRJ (now WTBS), in Atlanta, Georgia. The station was purchased by Turner in 1970 and was the foundation upon which he built his broadcasting empire.
In 1976, Turner Broadcasting System was established as a holding company for Turner's various business interests, including WTBS. The company quickly expanded, acquiring other television stations and launching new networks, including Cable News Network (CNN) in 1980, which was the first 24-hour news network in the United States.
Expansion and Innovation
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Turner Broadcasting continued to grow and innovate. The company launched several more networks, including Cartoon Network in 1992 and Turner Classic Movies in 1994. Turner Broadcasting also made significant strides in the area of sports broadcasting, acquiring the rights to broadcast the Major League Baseball (MLB) games and the National Basketball Association (NBA) games.
In 1996, Turner Broadcasting was acquired by Time Warner, a major media conglomerate. This acquisition significantly expanded the reach and resources of Turner Broadcasting, allowing it to compete more effectively with other major media companies.
Turner Broadcasting Today
Today, Turner Broadcasting is one of the largest and most influential media companies in the world. Its networks, including CNN, TBS, and TNT, reach millions of viewers in the United States and around the world. The company also owns several digital media properties, including the websites for its television networks and Bleacher Report, a popular sports news website.
Despite changes in ownership and the evolving media landscape, Turner Broadcasting remains committed to its original mission of providing high-quality, diverse programming to viewers around the world.