CNN was one of the first 24-hour news channels in the United States when it debuted in 1980. Media tycoons Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld founded it. Since then, the cable news channel has expanded significantly and diversified. In 1996, Turner sold it to Time Warner for around $7.3 billion in stock. Viewers in more than 215 countries can watch TV programs through CNN International. In this article, we will find out the name of the CNN owner.

Brief History of CNN Ownership / Who Was CNN Owner?

Let’s briefly examine the network’s historical roots and proceed with the current ownership structure review. In 1980, American media proprietor Ted Turner established the network as CNN owner, the world’s first 24-hour news television station.

Warner Bros Discovery’s most prized asset, Cable News Network, is among the media property and channel units that form part of the mega-corporation created after WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc.‘s merger.

Both giants have now merged, becoming the leading media player. It is the most influential media and entertainment group, controlling several brands and networks and having strong content creation capabilities. This group holds CNN, which is at the forefront of international news sharing.

Growth opportunities and innovations originate from collaborations born of the partnership between WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc. Warner Bros. Discovery could maximize the potential of their massive network through co-production, sharing the resources and intellectual rights.

cnn owner

Who is the Current CNN Owner, and Who is the CEO of CNN?

Warner Bros. is the current CNN owner. Sir Mark Thompson is the channel’s global CEO and Chairman. Thompson also serves as the editor-in-chief. Discovery is an entertainment media company that includes HBO and HGTV. How did Warner acquire such a significant asset? We will try to shed light on the correct answer here.

Time Warner/WarnerMedia

Over time, after its establishment, CNN has evolved into a global media company with TV channels, digital platforms, international offices, content distribution through multiple cable and satellite providers, websites, mobile apps, and closed-circuit channels. Journalists worldwide work alongside partners, providing breaking news updates to their global audience.

Time Warner’s parent organization, WarnerMedia, owns many popular television and sports networks, including HBO and Warner Bros studio. Morgan Stanley, Hotchkis & Wiley, BlackRock, and Braham Capital are its principal shareholders.

John Malone is a significant investor in the WarnerMedia group. According to some accounts, Malone may have told David Zaslav where he wanted the network to go; others contend he may have only suggested his ideas indirectly, and they have since been implemented without direct input from Malone himself. Yet this change in CNN’s leadership has left viewers needing clarification and direction.

AT&T

AT&T indicated its intention to sell CNN. Yet, some on Wall Street believe this may be necessary to boost digital revenue as its mobile, TV, and broadband businesses have been experiencing subscriber losses for several years. Furthermore, analysts note that such a divestiture would allow AT&T to negotiate better terms with TV distributors. AT&T CEO John Stankey stated his intent to invest in CNN apps and use data analytics to increase engagement with their brand, potentially helping him persuade regulators to approve his merger deal.

John Malone, a conservative billionaire who chairs Discovery’s board of directors, supports this deal and believes that new CEO David Zaslav can lead the combined entity. Zaslav is a well-seasoned television executive who previously worked with NBC Universal, where he helped launch CNBC and MSNBC.

Where to Watch CNN Live?

Ted Turner founded CNN as the first cable news network offering 24/7 news coverage, becoming part of Turner Broadcasting System before eventually merging with Time Warner before being acquired by Warner Bros Discovery under AT&T. CNN is now available worldwide across most major streaming platforms, such as DirecTV Stream, Sling TV Orange, LiveNewsPro and others. The news channel offers an international news service called CNN Newsource to provide content from the channel and raw b-rolls from international affiliates.

Brian Stelter’s firing and other changes at CNN made waves, prompting speculation in the media network. After that, Chris Licht, their new CEO, wants to revamp and modernize the network as part of an attempt at distancing itself from what some critics see as liberal bias; he recently told staffers not to use phrases such as “big lie” and bring in more conservative guests. In June 2023, Discovery announced that Licht would leave CNN immediately and resign from the Chair and CEO. Then Thompson took responsibility for both designations.

Some observers suspect these changes are being driven by John Malone, the conservative billionaire with a small stake in Warner Bros Discovery who owns a minority share in the channel. They claim Malone has been pushing Zaslav and Licht to remake it as a more centrist news source. Still, those supporting Zaslav and Licht claim they’re not taking orders from Malone but are changing it for business and editorial reasons.

CNN Owner

Independent Streaming Service of CNN

Contrary to popular belief, CNN is part of Warner Media Discovery – a large media conglomerate specializing in sports, news, and entertainment. AT&T owns much of Warner Media Discovery and other networks such as HBO, DC, and HGTV Food Network MythBusters. The news channel has faced significant difficulty launching an independent streaming service called CNN+. While initially successful, this app eventually shut down several months after its launch, and changes made to attract new audiences needed to be made to save it. The news channel will remain available through traditional TV providers and the CNN Max streaming service.