The iconic and flamboyant Ted Turner started CNN in 1980, around the same time I first came to Atlanta. Now as CNN departs their huge world headquarters at the CNN Center in downtown Atlanta, it’s a good time to remember this amazing story of how one man changed the world of news and cable television and started a revolution that continues today.
When I got to Atlanta in the early 1980’s, Turner was already bigger than life. His nicknames were “Captain Outrageous” because he was a boisterous sailing boat captain and “mouth of the south”, for his over the top, outrageous statements and commentary on social issues.
That being said, he was a loud and proud representation of Atlanta and of the rapidly growing and fast changing south. In fact, Turner was much like what you would expect from Rhett Butler from GONE WITH THE WIND.
After Turner sold CNN to Time Warner in 1996, things have been changing.
Atlanta rides the wireless, telecom, AI, ChatGPT, IoT growth wave
In fact, cable TV news is not the only industry that has seen this kind of change. Since the 1980’s, the entire communications industry has exploded with growth and change as well.
Around the same time as CNN launched in 1980, AT&T was broken up into one, giant, long-distance giant and seven Baby Bells selling local phone service including Southern Bell, which over time, turned into BellSouth and was ultimately acquired by SBC, another Baby Bell out of San Antonio Texas. Suddenly there were also countless, smaller long-distance resellers like MCI and Sprint.
Then, as companies in these different sectors merged, they became larger and offered more services. Today, there are fewer, but larger companies offering everything to everyone.
The change wave continues today in the world of technology, wireless, Internet, AI, IoT, ChatGPT, metaverse, VR, AR, Smart Cities and so much more.
Ted Turner started first 24-hour cable news network with CNN in 1980
Over the years I have given countless interviews at CNN in downtown Atlanta. The network has grown and changed so many times it would make your head spin. But isn’t growth and change it what it’s all about?
Companies are either growing and changing or you they are shrinking. They are either on the rising side of the growth wave, or they have crested and find themselves on the falling side.
Over time I learned how important Ted Turner really was, not only to the new world of 24-hour cable news he created with CNN, but to Atlanta itself. In fact, that was one of the industries that fueled growth in those early years.
And it all started with a visionary leader.
So, let me start by saying a sincere and personal thank you to Ted Turner for his vision and his execution and the benefit he brought to Atlanta.
Ted Turner and CNN were important part of Atlanta Resurgense
Turner was a real character. He had such a strong personality that he was able to help punch Atlanta onto the map in a way no one else ever could.
Remembering the damage caused in the Civil War, Atlanta ultimately became known as a phoenix rising from the flames of destruction. That’s what I found all around town when I arrived.
There were signs about Atlanta that read Resurgens, which is a proud, mythical bird meaning, “rising again.”
This represented Atlanta’s incorporation in 1847 and its reconstruction in 1865 after being burned to the ground by General William Tecumseh Sherman during the Civil War in 1864.
Compared with today, Atlanta was very different back in the 1980’s. It has grown and changed an incredible amount in the four decades since CNN started.
In fact, when I arrived in the early 1980’s, the metro-Atlanta population was around 1.5 million. Today, it’s more than 6 million and is still growing strong. People have been moving down here in record numbers for as long as I can remember.
KP Productions performed at Ted Turner birthday celebration
My son Jason Kagan is now an entertainer with his own company KP Productions. Jason personally performed at Ted Turner’s fabulous and over-the-top birthday celebration.
Jason shared with me some of his private conversations with Turner before and after the event and the lessons he learned and treasures that will always be with him.
That’s the kind of kind and giving person Ted Turner really is. He shares his wisdom with those fortunate enough to spend time with him.
CNN started in a smaller space at Techwood, which is near Georgia Tech in downtown Atlanta.
Yes, it all started in a historic, southern brick office building with grand white pillars in mid-town Atlanta. Over time he expanded the facility but kept the original brick building. Then, they moved to CNN Center in the heart of downtown.
After being acquired in 1996, they have been expanding both in Washington DC and New York City. At the same time, as I visit for interviews, I have noticed the home CNN Studio has been shrinking.
Now they are moving what is left here in Atlanta back to the original southern, brick building with white pillars where the whole shebang started.
Now, CNN enters the next stage of their life. This is not unlike the Resurgense Atlanta itself experienced and continues to experience as time move forward.
Atlanta continues to rapidly grow thanks to CNN over the decades
Atlanta has seen incredible growth and change over time. The population continues to explode with growth and today we are a leader in new fields like technology, telecommunications, music, movies, entertainment, smart cities and so much more.
Atlanta has become one hopping city. In fact, many bigwigs in music, Hollywood and entertainment either call or have called Atlanta home. Think of Tyler Perry, Josh Brolin, Daniel Baldwin, Steve Harvey, Robert Downey Jr. and quite a few others.
Even Marvel Studios has a production studio here, which is why Atlanta is home to many of The Avengers stars when they are filming.
In fact, movie stars and celebrities are often spotted around town in restaurants, golf courses, sporting events and shopping quite a bit more.
Over the years, I have developed many fond memories of moving to Atlanta. Of how amazing this young and bright and vibrant city has become from where it once began. How it has grown and changed over the decades and that change only continues.
Atlanta will continue to be strong and vibrant with growth in so many important industries that touch us all. And that growth and vibrance shows no signs of stopping.
Atlanta has always been and will always be a city on the hill, focused on resurgense and our motto will always remain, “rising again!”
