Ted Turner Discuss CNN’s Hits (And Misses)… On CNN

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by Steve Krakauer | 9:04 am, May 13th, 2010

» 6 comments

Just as Wolf Blitzer reached his 20th anniversary with CNN recently, he conducted a lengthy chat with the guy who started the network 30 years ago: Ted Turner.

The wide-ranging interview touched on some of Turner’s favorite topics – energy, the environment, his success at CNN – and some topics that very clearly were those Blitzer’s former CNN boss didn’t want to discuss.

The first topic was about energy, and Turner was excited by some of the recent developments coming from the Democrats. He gave the Obama administration a “B” so far for their efforts, although he said, “I would have liked to the see the energy issue come up first before health care.”

But when the interview shifted to the economy, Turner clammed up (“I’m not in the financial advice business,” he said). It would be a theme of the discussion – Turner can talk for hours about topics he wants to bring to light, but clearly the finances of the country, or him personally, was not one of them

Then it was the time in The Situation Room to talk about the “the CNN situation.”

Blitzer: You’re no longer involved in CNN.
Turner: Unfortunately.
Blitzer: But you created CNN 30 years ago.
Turner: Yeah, I watch it every day.
Blitzer: What do you think?
Turner: You know, I’d like to see a little more international news.

He also lamented the loss of CNN’s Science, Space, and Environmental Unit in December 2008 and said he wouldn’t be surprised if the cabler merged with a broadcast network (CBS is the most recent possibility).

At every turn, Turner balked at talks of money. He wouldn’t say more than one-word when Blitzer inquired about the winning bet he made when he started CNN, gaining enormous financial success from the gamble. When Blitzer discussed his billion-dollar philanthropic efforts, Turner appeared disinterested. The awkwardness was saved by a clear point of pride for Turner – CNN’s coverage of the Gulf War. Turner and Blitzer recall the on-the-ground war coverage put CNN on the map for good. But it really opened the door for cable news as a whole.

Here’s the full interview:

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CNN, CNN International, Global Warming, Ted Turner, Wolf Blitzer

The Real Royal King

I would have enjoyed viewing this. Turner is a fascinating man, a great man, who like all great men has great faults. But, he was a true visionary. I simply can’t tolerate Blitzer long enough to get through even an introduction.
http://www.sailrabbits.com Magister

CNN was at its best when Ted was still onboard.
He had/has guts and that’s something current management seems to lack.
badr

It’s good to see a lightbringer admit that the government can’t magically save our economy.
felixw

The whole corrupt and biased culture at CNN can be traced back to Mr. Turner himself. His advice should not only be ignored, but CNN honchos would be wise to do the exact opposite of anything he says.
ice queen

Back when Ted Turner was at the helm CNN was the go to place for news. It had news and maybe a few other non news shows thrown into the mix. Today it’s not about the news it’s about who’s te biggest celebrity on the air and how to promote them. CNN has placed technology, holograms and such above reporting. The fact that their producers and staff are sending twit pics and twit videos while they should be working on improving show content is totally pathetic and not the way to engage those who are looking for content rather than gimmicks.
ex political-media hack

my sister is a writer for cnn, who started under ted, and shed agree with every word ice queen wrote.