Who Owns CNN: A Look at the Media Giant's Ownership History
CNN is one of the most recognizable news networks worldwide, broadcasting news and current events to millions of viewers around the globe. But who owns CNN? The answer is not a simple one, as the media giant has changed hands several times over the years. In this article, we'll take a closer look at CNN's ownership history and its current parent company.
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, launched the network in 1980 under the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS). TBS later merged with Time Warner in 1996, resulting in Time Warner's ownership of CNN. However, in 2018, Time Warner was acquired by AT&T, which led to CNN becoming a subsidiary of AT&T's WarnerMedia division.
But the story doesn't end there. In May 2021, WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. announced a merger that would result in the creation of a new company: Warner Bros. Discovery. This new company will take ownership of CNN, along with other media properties such as the Discovery Channel and HBO.
One person who has played a significant role in CNN's ownership history is John Malone. Malone is a media mogul and cable TV giant who has served on CNN's board of directors since 2018. He has also been involved in various media acquisitions, including the purchase of TCI Cablevision by AT&T in 1998.
Another media giant who has crossed paths with CNN is Rupert Murdoch, the founder of Fox News. In 1985, Murdoch attempted to purchase CNN from Ted Turner, but the deal fell through. Murdoch later launched Fox News in 1996 as a rival to CNN.
Speaking of Fox News, the network recently made headlines for settling a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems. Fox News will pay more than $787 million to Dominion Voting Systems after the two sides reached a last-minute settlement in August 2021. The lawsuit stemmed from Fox News' coverage of the 2020 presidential election, which Dominion claimed spread false information about the company's involvement in voter fraud.
In another Fox News-related development, the network announced in September 2021 that it had severed ties with host Tucker Carlson. Carlson hosted the highly rated 8pm hour on Fox News but had become a controversial figure due to his comments on topics such as COVID-19 vaccines and voting rights.
Meanwhile, CNN has been covering a range of topics in recent months, including national security, gun laws, and international news. In November 2021, the network held a town hall on sexual abuse and defamation in the wake of a civil case brought against former President Donald Trump by writer E. Jean Carroll. The town hall came one day after a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in the case.
On the tech front, CNN has also been covering the latest developments in wireless earbuds. Apple's AirPods may have kicked off the wire-free craze, but now there are countless options on the market. CNN has explored the pros and cons of various in-ear Bluetooth earbuds and highlighted some of the most innovative features.
As for the world of cryptocurrency, CNN has covered the rise of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. Binance has faced criticism for its ties to China, with some calling it a "Chinese company." However, Binance's founders have pushed back against this label, insisting that the company is decentralized and global.
In conclusion, CNN has had a long and complex ownership history, with various media giants and moguls playing a role in its evolution. Today, CNN is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, which has big plans for the network's future. And with its extensive coverage of business, tech, and global news, CNN will likely remain a household name for years to come.
