# Ted Turner died Wednesday at the age of 87.

*business · news · 2026-05-06 · Variety*

## Key points

- Ted Turner, founder of CNN and TBS, died at age 87 on Wednesday.
- Paramount's $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery would include acquiring CNN, TNT, and HBO Max.
- Paramount claims the merger could lead to $6 billion in cost cuts, prompting layoff concerns.
- David Zaslav is expected to leave Warner Bros. Discovery with a $550 million exit package if the merger closes.
- CNN staff worry David Ellison's ties to Trump may influence CNN's editorial direction after the merger.

**Companies:** Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Variety](https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/ted-turner-praised-warner-bros-discovery-david-zaslav-1236739396/)

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