Turner Broadcasting System

File:Turner logo.svg

Turner Broadcasting System traces its roots to a billboard company in Savannah, Georgia, purchased by Robert Edward Turner II in the late 1940s.{{cite book|last1=Turner|first1=Ted|title=Call Me Ted|date=2008|publisher=Grand Central Publishing|location=New York|isbn=978-0-446-58189-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/callmeted00turn}} Turner grew the business, which later became known as Turner Advertising Company. Robert Edward Turner's son, Ted Turner, inherited the company when the elder Turner died in 1963. After taking over the company, Ted Turner expanded the business into radio and television.

Turner Broadcasting System was incorporated in Georgia on May 12, 1965.{{cite web|title=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.|url=https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch/BusinessInformation?businessId=703015&businessType=Domestic%20Profit%20Corporation|website=Georgia Corporations Division|publisher=Georgia Secretary of State|access-date=13 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213195406/https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch/BusinessInformation?businessId=703015&businessType=Domestic%20Profit%20Corporation|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=live}}

In 1970, Ted Turner purchased WJRJ-Atlanta, Channel 17, a small, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) station, and renamed it WTCG, for parent company Turner Communications Group.{{Cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/meredith-buying-atlanta-station-from-turner-broadcasting/186234/|title=Ted Turner's Former Superstation TBS Has Been Sold|website=adweek.it|date=23 February 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-12}}{{Cite web|url=https://slate.com/technology/2010/11/ted-turner-the-alexander-the-great-of-television.html|title=Ted Turner, the Alexander the Great of Television|last=Wu|first=Tim|date=2010-11-11|website=Slate Magazine|language=en|access-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412143744/https://slate.com/technology/2010/11/ted-turner-the-alexander-the-great-of-television.html|archive-date=2019-04-12|url-status=live}} During December 1976, WTCG originated the superstation concept, transmitting via satellite to cable systems.

HBO had gone to satellite transmissions to distribute its signal nationally in 1975, but that was a service that cable subscribers were made to pay extra to receive.{{Cite web |title=The Rise of Cable Television {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/rise-cable-television |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.encyclopedia.com}} Turner's innovation signaled the start of the basic cable revolution.{{Cite news |last=Wu |first=Tim |date=2010-11-11 |title=Ted Turner, the Alexander the Great of Television |url=https://slate.com/technology/2010/11/ted-turner-the-alexander-the-great-of-television.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}}

On December 17, 1976, at 1:00 pm, WTCG Channel 17's signal was beamed via satellite to its four cable systems in Grand Island, Nebraska; Newport News, Virginia; Troy, Alabama; and Newton, Kansas. All four cable systems started receiving the 1948 Dana Andrews – Cesar Romero film Deep Waters already in progress. The movie had started 30 minutes earlier. WTCG went from being a little television station to a major TV network that every one of the 24,000 households outside of the 675,000 in Atlanta was receiving coast-to-coast. WTCG became what Turner labeled a superstation, the forerunner of today's basic cable television.

In 1979, the company changed its name from Turner Communications Group to Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.) and the call letters of its main entertainment channel to WTBS.{{Cite web |date=1990-06-02 |title=TBS HISTORY |url=https://greensboro.com/tbs-history/article_87040d09-d483-59c9-b117-fe44f0903fb7.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Greensboro News and Record |language=en}}

On June 1, 1980, Cable News Network (CNN) was launched at 5:00 p.m. EDT becoming the first 24-hour news cable channel. The husband and wife team of Dave Walker and Lois Hart news anchored the first newscast. Burt Reinhardt, then executive vice president of CNN, hired most of the channel's first 200 employees and 25-member staff including Bernard Shaw, the network's first news anchor.

In 1981, Turner Broadcasting System acquired Brut Productions from Faberge Inc.{{cite news|title=Faberge Sells Brut's Assets|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/01/01/business/faberge-sells-brut-s-assets.html|work=The New York Times|date=January 1, 1982|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701092705/http://www.nytimes.com/1982/01/01/business/faberge-sells-brut-s-assets.html|archive-date=July 1, 2017|url-status=live}}

Also in 1981, WTBS began its usage of "Turner Time" in June 1981, in which programming began at five minutes after the top and bottom of each hour, instead of the broadcasting norm of beginning at the top and bottom of the hour.

In 1984, Turner initiated Cable Music Channel, his competition for WASEC's MTV. The channel was short-lived, but helped influence the original format of VH1.

In 1986, after a failed attempt to acquire CBS, Turner purchased the film studio MGM/UA Entertainment Co. from Kirk Kerkorian for $1.5 billion.{{Cite magazine |last=TIME |date=1987-02-02 |title=DEALS: Hanging In There - Barely |url=https://time.com/archive/6708261/deals-hanging-in-there-barely/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |magazine=TIME |language=en}} Following the acquisition, Turner had an enormous debt and sold parts of the acquisition. MGM/UA Entertainment was sold back to Kirk Kerkorian.{{Cite news |last=Fabrikant |first=Geraldine |date=1986-06-07 |title=TURNER TO SELL MGM ASSETS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/07/business/turner-to-sell-mgm-assets.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The MGM/UA Studio lot in Culver City was sold to Lorimar-Telepictures.{{Cite web |last=Delugach |first=Al |date=1986-09-09 |title=Lorimar Signs Pact to Acquire MGM Studio |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-09-09-fi-12601-story.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Turner kept MGM's pre-May 1986 film and television library as well as the Associated Artists Productions library (the pre-1950You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story, (2008) p. 255.{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/mediahistory&tab=collection?and%5B%5D=subject%3A%22Motion%20pictures%20--%20Catalogues%22|title=Media History Digital Library|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325121444/https://archive.org/details/mediahistory%26tab%3Dcollection?and%5B%5D=subject%3A%22Motion%20pictures%20--%20Catalogues%22|archive-date=March 25, 2019|url-status=live}} Warner Bros. film library and the Fleischer Studios/Famous Studios Popeye cartoons originally released by Paramount Pictures), and the U.S./Canadian distribution rights to the RKO Pictures library. Turner Entertainment Co. was founded on August 2, 1986.

Turner Program Services ("TPS"), a subsidiary under the Turner umbrella, began domestic syndication of all of the properties acquired under the final disposition of the MGM deal with Kerkorian. TPS inherited over 5,000 program orders (executed, letters of intent) to have domestic syndication agreements prepared and sent in order to "formally" contractually license films for airing on domestic, free-over-the-air television stations throughout the United States. The contractual "back-log" was caught up by the end of 1989, while still administering to all of a domestic television station's syndication needs. In 1987, top-rated television network NBC was considered bidding for a piece of the company in an effort to enter the cable business, but the deal was never materialized.{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Kim |date=1987-11-25 |title=NBC Discussing Plan To Acquire Interest In TBS |pages=92, 98 |work=Variety}}

In 1989, TBS Management Company, under the leadership of Charles Shultz (Ted's first company controller at the original, small TV station), advanced the focus on the two music performing rights subsidiaries: one with Broadcast Music, Inc ("BMI") and ASCAP. In the space of 1989 to 1994, Turner went from 2 subsidiary music publishing companies to no less than sixteen.

On October 3, 1988, the company launched Turner Network Television (TNT).{{cite news|title=NEW TNT CHANNEL BEGINS MONDAY ON CABLE SYSTEMS|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/new-tnt-channel-begins-monday-on-cable-systems/article_5622e6a8-270b-50ca-8a8d-21d73e258e98.html|work=The Buffalo News|last=Brennan|first=James E.|date=October 2, 1988|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060159/http://buffalonews.com/1988/10/02/new-tnt-channel-begins-monday-on-cable-systems/|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. v. FCC|l1=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. v. FCC}}

Turner Broadcasting System expanded its presence in movie production and distribution, first with the 1991 purchase of the Hanna-Barbera and Ruby-Spears animation studios during a competitive bid with MCA/Universal, Hallmark Cards, and several other corporations.{{cite news|last=Lippman|first=John|title=Turner Is Buying Hanna-Barbera Film Library|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-30-fi-565-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=September 8, 2010|date=October 30, 1991|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511201256/http://articles.latimes.com/1991-10-30/business/fi-565_1_film-library|archive-date=May 11, 2011|url-status=live}} On December 22, 1993, Turner Broadcasting System acquired Castle Rock Entertainment. Turner Broadcasting System purchased New Line Cinema a month later.{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/2157288.html?dids=2157288:2157288&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+07%2C+1993&author=Harris%2C+Kathryn&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=New+Line+Cinema+holding+merger+talks+with+Turner&pqatl=google|first=Kathryn|last=Harris|title=New Line Cinema holding merger talks with Turner|date=August 7, 1993|access-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324192856/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/2157288.html?dids=2157288:2157288&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+07%2C+1993&author=Harris%2C+Kathryn&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=New+Line+Cinema+holding+merger+talks+with+Turner&pqatl=google|archive-date=March 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/6359666.html?dids=6359666:6359666&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+18%2C+1993&author=Citron%2C+Alan&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Turner+gets+nod+to+buy+New+Line+and+Castle+Rock&pqatl=google|first=Alan|last=Citron|title=Turner gets nod to buy New Line and Castle Rock|date=August 18, 1993|access-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324192844/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/6359666.html?dids=6359666:6359666&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+18%2C+1993&author=Citron%2C+Alan&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Turner+gets+nod+to+buy+New+Line+and+Castle+Rock&pqatl=google|archive-date=March 24, 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/100240/0000950144-94-000832.txt |title=Turner Broadcasting Company Report |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. |access-date=2017-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710093510/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/100240/0000950144-94-000832.txt |archive-date=2017-07-10 |url-status=live }}

Turner Broadcasting System launched Cartoon Network on October 1, 1992, followed by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) on April 14, 1994.

In September 1995, Turner Broadcasting System began airing World Championship Wrestling (WCW)'s Monday Nitro on TNT, beginning the Monday Night War against the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)'s Monday Night Raw. Three years later, TBS Superstation began airing WCW Thunder.

On October 10, 1996, Turner Broadcasting System merged with Time Warner Entertainment, a company formed in 1990{{cite web|url=https://ir.timewarner.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=70972&p=irol-faq|title=FAQs – Time Warner – Investor Relations – Time Warner Inc.|access-date=2017-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610120753/http://ir.timewarner.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=70972&p=irol-faq|archive-date=2017-06-10|url-status=live}} by the merger of Time Inc. and Warner Communications,{{cite news|title=Time-TBS merger closed – Oct. 10, 1996|url=https://money.cnn.com/1996/10/10/deals/time_warner_a/|agency=CNN|work=CNNMoney|date=October 10, 1996|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060308/http://money.cnn.com/1996/10/10/deals/time_warner_a/|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}} and which had held 20% of Turner Broadcasting System in the past.{{cite news |last=Jessell |first=Harry |date=October 3, 1994 |title=Turner takes a swing at Time Warner |work=Broadcasting & Cable |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/94-OCR/BC-1994-10-03-Page-0017.pdf |access-date=24 August 2021}} Through this merger, Warner Bros. had regained the rights to its pre-1950 library, while Turner Broadcasting System gained access to the company's post-1950 library and other properties.

On April 1, 2000, Turner Broadcasting System launched Boomerang as a sister channel to Cartoon Network featuring the classic cartoons that originally aired on Cartoon Network as the channel was gradually shifting its focus to original cartoons.

Time Warner Entertainment merged with America Online (AOL) in 2001 to form AOL Time Warner, which was renamed back to the Time Warner name in 2004.

In March 2001, Jamie Kellner would officially succeed Ted Turner as head of Turner Broadcasting System.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB983920915516944115|title=WB Network Chief Kellner Takes Over Turner Operations at AOL Time Warner|first1=Joe|last1=Flint|first2=Sally|last2=Beatty|publisher=Wall Street Journalism|date=March 7, 2001|accessdate=June 22, 2024}} One of Kellner's most notable actions after succeeding Turner was his decision to cancel WCW's television programs.{{cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/former-head-turner-broadcasting-jamie-kellner-passes-away|title=Former Head of Turner Broadcasting Jamie Kellner Passes Away|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|publisher=Fightful|date=June 22, 2024|accessdate=June 22, 2024}}

In September 2001, Cartoon Network launched Adult Swim as an adult-oriented programming block that would air at midnight when Cartoon Network's target demographic would be asleep. It would go on to be very successful. Since 2005, Adult Swim is considered its own network according to Nielsen due to Adult Swim and Cartoon Network's differing demographics.

In 2002, Turner started a joint venture with Zee Entertainment Enterprises known as Zee Turner for distribution of their channels in India.

In 2003, Philip I. Kent succeeded Jamie Kellner as chairman. Operational duties for The WB were transferred by Time Warner from Warner Bros. to Turner Broadcasting during 2001, while Kellner was chairman, but were returned to Warner Bros. in 2003 with the departure of Kellner.

On January 1, 2004, Turner launched Pogo in India as a sister channel to Cartoon Network India. The channel is exclusive to South Asia.

On February 23, 2006, Turner agreed to sell the regional entertainment channel Turner South to Fox Entertainment Group.{{cite news|last=Becker|first=Anne|title=Time Warner Sells Turner South to Fox|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/time-warner-sells-turner-south-fox-78962|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928060109/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/time-warner-sells-turner-south-fox/78962|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}} Fox assumed control of the channel on May 1, and on October 13 relaunched it as SportSouth – coincidentally, the former name of Fox Sports South when Turner owned this channel in partnership with Liberty Media between 1990 and 1996.{{cite news|last=Grossman|first=Ben|title=Turner South To Become SportSouth|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/turner-south-become-sportsouth-81102?rssid=20105|work=Broadcasting & Cable|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928061643/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/turner-south-become-sportsouth/81102?rssid=20105|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}

In May 2006, Time Warner, which had owned 50% of Court TV since 1998, purchased the remaining 50% from Liberty Media and began running the channel as part of Turner Broadcasting. The channel was relaunched as TruTV on January 1, 2008.

Also in May 2006, Ted Turner attended his last meeting as a board member of Time Warner and officially parted with the company.{{cite news|last1=Weber|first1=Harry|title=Ted Turner Bids Farewell to Time Warner|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/19/AR2006051900851.html|access-date=13 February 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=AP|date=19 May 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214014603/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/19/AR2006051900851.html|archive-date=14 February 2018|url-status=live}}

On October 5, 2007, Turner Broadcasting System completed the acquisition of Claxson Interactive Pay Television Networks in Latin America.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=XSONF.PK|title=Claxson Interactive Group Inc (XSONF.PK)|work=Reuters|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415000052/http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=XSONF.PK|archive-date=April 15, 2016|url-status=live}}{{unreliable source?|date=September 2017}}

On March 2, 2009, Turner launched Real, the company's first Hindi GEC, in India as a joint venture between it and Alva Brothers Entertainment, which it had partnered with before for content on Cartoon Network India and Pogo TV. The joint venture was known as Real Global Broadcasting. The channel shut down in March 2010, lasting for a year due to low viewership.

On December 8, 2009, it was announced that Turner had bought a majority stake in NDTV Imagine Ltd. from NDTV, for $117 million, as the company's own channel, Real had failed. NDTV Imagine Ltd. was previously a joint venture between NDTV and NBCUniversal. Turner then went on to acquire 92% of NDTV Imagine Ltd. which included NDTV Imagine, NDTV Lumiere, Imagine Showbiz and NDTV Imagine Pictures.{{Cite news |last=Bansal |first=Shuchi |date=2009-12-18 |title=Time Warner board approves acquisition of NDTV Imagine |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/HmCMVN4twe7fWL9P127nLJ/Time-Warner-board-approves-acquisition-of-NDTV-Imagine.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240419221507/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/HmCMVN4twe7fWL9P127nLJ/Time-Warner-board-approves-acquisition-of-NDTV-Imagine.html |archive-date=2024-04-19 |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=mint |language=en}} Turner dropped the NDTV branding from the channels. Turner sold Imagine Showbiz to Reliance Broadcast Network in 2011.

On August 26, 2010, Turner Broadcasting took full control of Chilevisión, a television channel owned by the President of Chile Sebastián Piñera.{{cite news|url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2010/08/25/turner-broadcasting-system-inc-to-acquire-chilevisi-n|title=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. to Acquire Chilevisión|date=August 25, 2010|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928103233/http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2010/08/25/turner-broadcasting-system-inc-to-acquire-chilevisi-n|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}

On September 8, 2011, Turner Broadcasting System acquired LazyTown Entertainment, the producer of the TV series LazyTown.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lazytown-founder-sells-turner-broadcasting-232908|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Mimi|last=Turner|title='Lazytown' Founder Sells To Turner Broadcasting For $25 Million|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031062900/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lazytown-founder-sells-turner-broadcasting-232908|archive-date=October 31, 2017|url-status=live}}

On April 12, 2012, it was announced that Turner would shut down Imagine TV, formerly NDTV Imagine, as the channel struggled for ratings amidst competition from rival Hindi entertainment channels.{{Cite news |date=April 12, 2012 |title=Turner to shut 'Imagine TV' in India |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/turner-to-shut-imagine-tv-in-india-idUSDEE83B06U/ |work=Reuters}} By 12 May 2012, Imagine TV was shut down in India.{{Cite news |date=2012-04-12 |title=Imagine TV shuts down |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/imagine-tv-shuts-down/articleshow/12634707.cms |access-date=2025-02-26 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Lumiere Movies, formerly NDTV Lumiere, was shut down in July along with TCM India.{{Cite web |last=Lincoln |first=Ross A. |date=2023-06-24 |title=TCM's UK Channel to Be Shut Down in July |url=https://www.thewrap.com/tcms-uk-channel-to-be-shut-down-in-july/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}

On January 1, 2014, John K. Martin succeeded Phil Kent as chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting.{{cite web|title=Turner|url=https://pressroom.turner.com/us/john-martin#.VS_o_5TF9Ug|website=John Martin Bio|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924065003/https://pressroom.turner.com/us/john-martin#.VS_o_5TF9Ug|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}

In August 2014, The Wrap reported that Turner was preparing to offer buy-outs to 550 employees as part of plans to restructure the company heading into 2015. The ratings performance of CNN and HLN were cited as a factor, while CBSSports.com reported that the rising rights fees Turner pays for its NBA broadcasts on TNT may have also been a factor.{{cite web|title=550 Buyouts, Layoffs Imminent at Turner; HLN, CNN Among Cuts (Exclusive)|url=https://www.thewrap.com/turner-plans-organizational-restructuring-in-next-two-months/|website=The Wrap|date=August 19, 2014|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928102907/http://www.thewrap.com/turner-plans-organizational-restructuring-in-next-two-months/|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-turner-to-fire-550-people-in-advance-of-rising-nba-rights-deal/|title=Report: Turner to fire 550 people in advance of rising NBA rights deal|work=CBSSports.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=August 26, 2014|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928104334/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/report-turner-to-fire-550-people-in-advance-of-rising-nba-rights-deal/|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}} It was further reported in October 2014 that the company planned to reduce its workforce by 10% (1,475 people) through layoffs across a wide set of units including corporate positions.{{cite news|author=Friedman, Wayne|title=Turner Broadcasting To Cut 10% Of Workforce|date=October 6, 2014|work=MediaDailyNews|publisher=MediaPost Communications|location=New York|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/235579/turner-broadcasting-to-cut-10-of-workforce.html|access-date=March 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318225424/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/235579/turner-broadcasting-to-cut-10-of-workforce.html|archive-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=live}}

On August 14, 2015, it was announced that Turner Broadcasting had acquired a majority stake in iStreamPlanet, a Las Vegas-based video streaming services company, in an effort to bolster its over-the-top programming and shift its core technology infrastructure to the cloud. iStreamPlanet is a direct competitor of Major League Baseball Advanced Media. The deal was reported to be in the neighborhood of $200 million.{{cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Shalini|title=Time Warner's Turner Cable Unit Acquires Majority Stake In iStreamPlanet|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2015/08/14/time-warners-turner-cable-unit-acquires-majority-stake-in-istreamplanet/|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=August 14, 2015|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706051856/https://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2015/08/14/time-warners-turner-cable-unit-acquires-majority-stake-in-istreamplanet/|archive-date=July 6, 2017|url-status=live}} In October 2015, Turner launched a streaming-video network named Great Big Story.{{cite web|title=CNN, Turner Launch Great Big Story Streaming-Video Network|url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/cnn-turner-launch-great-big-story-streaming-video-network-1201588676/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=October 20, 2015|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125015424/http://deadline.com/2015/10/cnn-turner-launch-great-big-story-streaming-video-network-1201588676/|archive-date=January 25, 2018|url-status=live}}

In April 2017, in order to expedite the sale of Time Warner to AT&T by shedding FCC-licensed properties, WPCH-TV was sold to Meredith Corporation, which had already been operating WPCH under a local marketing agreement since 2011 as a sister to its local CBS affiliate WGCL-TV.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-17/time-warner-tv-station-sale-is-approved-easing-way-to-at-t-deal|title=Time Warner TV-Station Sale Approved, Easing AT&T Deal Path|last=Shields|first=Todd|work=Bloomberg|date=April 17, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517170453/https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-04-17/time-warner-tv-station-sale-is-approved-easing-way-to-at-t-deal|archive-date=May 17, 2017|url-status=live}} Turner Podcast Network was formed within Turner's content distribution division in June 2017, with Tyler Moody being named general manager and vice president of the unit.{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |title=TV News Roundup: Zoe Saldana to Develop Adaptation of Israeli Unscripted Series 'Mothers' |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/authentic-entertainment-cinestar-productions-new-series-1202455667/ |access-date=July 11, 2019 |work=Variety |date=June 6, 2017 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910200527/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/authentic-entertainment-cinestar-productions-new-series-1202455667/ |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |url-status=live }}

On March 22, 2018, Six Flags and Riverside Group announced a partnership with Turner Asia Pacific to bring attractions based on Tuzki and other Turner-owned IPs to its theme parks in China.{{Cite web|url=https://investors.sixflags.com/news-and-events/press-releases/2018/03-22-2018-110034822|title=Six Flags and Riverside Partner with Turner to Offer New Attractions|website=investors.sixflags.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616074302/http://investors.sixflags.com/news-and-events/press-releases/2018/03-22-2018-110034822|archive-date=2018-06-16|url-status=live}}

On June 15, 2018, it was announced that John Martin would be leaving as CEO following AT&T's completed acquisition of Time Warner.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/turner-ceo-john-martin-to-depart-1202411599/|title=Turner CEO John Martin To Depart, Time Warner To Become WarnerMedia|last=Chmielewski|first=Dawn C.|date=2018-06-15|work=Deadline|access-date=2018-11-22|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105204948/https://deadline.com/2018/06/turner-ceo-john-martin-to-depart-1202411599/|archive-date=2018-11-05|url-status=live}} By September, AT&T had transferred its Audience channel, a group of regional sports networks plus stakes in Game Show Network and MLB Network to Turner from AT&T Communications.{{Cite web|url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/us/atnt2/sec/sec-show.aspx?Type=html&FilingId=12972266&CIK=0000732717&Index=10000|title=SEC-Show|website=otp.tools.investis.com|access-date=2018-11-22}}{{Failed verification|date=July 2019|reason=being reported in a different business segment does constitute a transfer.}}

In December 2018, Turner Broadcasting sold the rights to the brand and its pre-2008 original programming library of defunct cable network Court TV (which relaunched as truTV in 2008) to Katz Broadcasting, with plans to re-launch it as an over-the-air digital network in May 2019.{{cite web |title=Court TV is coming back, thanks to E.W. Scripps decision |first=Stephen |last=Battaglio |date=December 10, 2018 |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-court-tv-revival-20181210-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=December 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210214940/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-court-tv-revival-20181210-story.html |archive-date=December 10, 2018 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/court-tv-brand-new-channel-scripps-1203086191/ |title=Court TV Brand to Resurface as New Channel From Scripps Co. |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=2018-12-11 |website=Variety |language=en |access-date=2018-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211042201/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/court-tv-brand-new-channel-scripps-1203086191/ |archive-date=2018-12-11 |url-status=live }}

On March 4, 2019, AT&T announced a major reorganization of its broadcasting assets that would effectively break-up Turner Broadcasting System. Its assets are to be dispersed across multiple units of WarnerMedia, including the newly created WarnerMedia Entertainment and WarnerMedia News & Sports. WarnerMedia Entertainment would consist of HBO, TBS, TNT, TruTV, and an upcoming direct-to-consumer video service (led by former NBC entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt), while WarnerMedia News & Sports would consist of CNN, Turner Sports, and the AT&T SportsNet regional networks (which would be led by CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker). Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, and Turner Classic Movies would be moved under Warner Bros. Entertainment via the new "Global Kids & Young Adults" business unit.{{cite news |last1=Feiner |first1=Lauren |title=WarnerMedia reorganizes its leadership team after AT&T acquisition |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/warnermedia-reorganizes-its-leadership-team-after-att-acquisition.html |access-date=March 4, 2019 |work=CNBC |date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304182211/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/warnermedia-reorganizes-its-leadership-team-after-att-acquisition.html |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|title=AT&T to HBO, Turner: No More Fiefdoms|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-readying-overhaul-of-warnermedia-11551483138?mod=article_inline|access-date=March 3, 2019|agency=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323024226/https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-readying-overhaul-of-warnermedia-11551483138?mod=article_inline|archive-date=March 23, 2019|url-status=live}} Although AT&T did not specify any timetable for the changes, WarnerMedia had already begun to remove references to Turner Broadcasting in corporate communications, with press releases referring to its networks as being "divisions of WarnerMedia". However, the Turner logo was still used at its building in Atlanta, Georgia even after the company's dissolution in March 2019 until it was removed in October 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/turner-brand-time-warner-tnt-tbs-trutv-1203160652/|title=What the End of the Turner Brand Could Mean for Its Channels|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=2019-03-12|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330181409/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/turner-brand-time-warner-tnt-tbs-trutv-1203160652/|archive-date=2019-03-30|url-status=live}}

On August 10, 2020, WarnerMedia restructured several of its units in a major corporate revamp that resulted in TBS, TNT and TruTV being brought back under the same umbrella as Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Boomerang and TCM, under a consolidation of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment's respective assets that formed the combined WarnerMedia Studios & Networks Group unit. Casey Bloys—who has been with WarnerMedia since 2004 (as director of development at HBO Independent Productions), and was eventually elevated to President of Programming at HBO and Cinemax in May 2016—added oversight of WarnerMedia's basic cable networks and HBO Max to his purview.{{cite web|title=WarnerMedia Begins Massive Round of Layoffs|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warnermedia-begins-massive-round-layoffs-1287678|first=Tatiana|last=Siegel|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020}} Turner was subsequently reincorporated in Delaware on December 30.{{Citation |title=Business Conversion: Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. |date=December 30, 2020 |url=https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch/DownloadFile?filingNo=19879490 |work=Georgia Corporations Division |publisher=Georgia Secretary of State |access-date=December 27, 2024 |id=Filing {{abbr|No.|Number}} 19879490}}

On April 8, 2022, WarnerMedia was divested by AT&T and merged with Discovery, Inc. to form Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). All linear networks owned by the company, besides CNN, Turner Sports, HBO, and Magnolia Network, are overseen by Kathleen Finch as head of Warner Bros. Discovery U.S. Networks,{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-04-09 |title=Chip & Joanna Gaines' Road From HGTV To HBO As 'Fixer Upper' Stars Switch Sides Post-WB/Discovery Merger |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/chip-joanna-gaines-hgtv-hbo-fixer-upper-warner-bros-discovery-merger-1234997644/ |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Deadline}}{{Cite web |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2022-04-08 |title=What Warner Bros. Discovery Looks Like on Day 1 |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/warner-bros-discovery-brands-channels-properties-1235211353/ |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=2022-04-09 |title=Warner Bros Discovery Merger: Who's In, Who's Out In The Executive Ranks |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/warner-bros-discovery-executives-list-org-chart-merger-1234997658/ |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Deadline}} which resulted in Brett Weitz being removed as general manager of TBS, TNT, and TruTV after 14 years with the networks.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2022-05-11 |title=Brett Weitz Exits As General Manager Of TNT, TBS & truTV |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/brett-weitz-exit-general-manager-tnt-tbs-trutv-1235011472/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Deadline}} The News and Sports division was also split up into separate CNN Worldwide and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports divisions, with the latter being renamed to TNT Sports in 2023 but also including Discovery's sports properties such as Eurosport.

• Castle Rock Entertainment - a film and television production company
• Hanna-Barbera - an animation studio (Folded into Warner Bros. Animation in 2001)
• Ruby-Spears Enterprises - An animation studio, and former sister company of Hanna-Barbera (Libraries are owned by Warner Bros. Animation)
• New Line Cinema - a film production company (became separate unit of Time Warner upon close of sale; folded into WB in 2008)
• Turner Entertainment Co. - a film holding company
• Turner Pictures - a defunct in-house production company
• Turner Pictures Worldwide Distribution - An international distribution sales unit
• Turner Feature Animation - a defunct animation unit
• Turner Home Entertainment - a defunct home video distributor (Merged into Warner Home Video)
• Turner Program Services - a former syndication arm − (Merged into Warner Bros.' Telepictures)
• The WB - A defunct broadcast television network (with Tribune Broadcasting, 2001–2003; merged with UPN to form The CW in 2006)
• Transferred to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• Adult Swim Games
• Cartoon Network Games
• Transferred to Warner Bros. Television Studios
• Cartoon Network Studios
• Cartoon Network Productions (In conjunction with The Cartoon Network, Inc.)
• Williams Street
• Williams Street Records
• Williams Street West
• Transferred to Warner Bros. Television Studios UK
• Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe

Note: These assets were temporarily part of Turner Entertainment Networks & Warner Bros. under WarnerMedia Studios & Networks within the WarnerMedia era.

An (*) indicates the assets was once part of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics.

• Cartoon Network*
• Adult Swim*
• Boomerang*

• TBS
• TNT
• TruTV
• Turner Classic Movies*
• Now Playing (magazine)

• Cable Music Channel — A defunct television channel
• CNN+, a joint-venture between Turner (50%) and Sogecable that is only aired in Spain, closed down in late 2010.
• CNNfn - a defunct television channel
• CNN/SI - a defunct television channel
• FilmStruck - a defunct film streaming service
• HBO South Asia
• Mondo Mah-jong TV (Japan)
• Studio T - a defunct production company.
• Super Deluxe - a defunct entertainment company
• Tabi Tele (Japan)
• TCM South East Asia
• Toonami Channel (Asia)
• Toonami India
• WB India
• Real (TV channel) (India)
• Imagine TV (India)

• Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips Arena - sold in 2004 to Atlanta Spirit Group, Thrashers resold in 2011 to True North Sports and Entertainment and now known as the Winnipeg Jets. Hawks resold in 2015 to Tony Ressler
• Chilevisión - A Chilean Free-to-air television channel, sold to Paramount Global
• Game Show Network (42%)
• GameTap - sold to Metaboli in 2008, later closed in 2010
• Hulu (10%) - now fully owned and controlled by The Walt Disney Company
• Lazytown Entertainment - sold back to Magnus Scheving in 2024
• MGM Entertainment Co. - sold to United Artists in 1986
• Showtime Scandinavia through NonStop Television in the Scandinavian countries.
• Silver, independent and international movies, through NonStop Television in the Scandinavian countries.
• SportSouth - A regional sports network (Now owned by Main Street Sports Group as FanDuel Sports Network South)
• Turner South - A regional television channel (Now owned by Main Street Sports Group as FanDuel Sports Network Southeast)
• United Artists - sold back to Kirk Kerkorian in 1986
• Woohoo (Brazil)
• Universal Wrestling Corporation - A professional wrestling promotion formerly known as World Championship Wrestling. Currently a defunct company, select assets are now owned by WWE through WCW, Inc.{{cite web|title=WCW: How It Died, and How WWE and Vince McMahon Made Sure It Never Rose Again|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/632761-wcw-how-it-died-and-how-wwe-and-vince-mcmahon-made-sure-it-never-rose-again|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=2015-04-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419130705/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/632761-wcw-how-it-died-and-how-wwe-and-vince-mcmahon-made-sure-it-never-rose-again|archive-date=2015-04-19|url-status=live}}
• WCNC-TV - A terrestrial broadcasting station in Charlotte (now owned by Tegna Inc.)
• WPCH-TV - A terrestrial broadcasting station in Atlanta and a former superstation (now owned by Gray Television)

{{reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190303234514/http://turner.com Turner Broadcasting System] (archived March 3, 2019)
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{{Warner Bros. Discovery}}

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