Who Started CNN in Atlanta? The Origins of Atlanta’s Global News Network

If you live in Atlanta—or you’re visiting downtown and see the CNN Center—it’s natural to wonder: who actually started CNN in Atlanta, and why here?

The short answer:
CNN (Cable News Network) was started in Atlanta by media entrepreneur Robert Edward “Ted” Turner.
It officially launched on June 1, 1980, with its first headquarters in downtown Atlanta.

Below is a clear breakdown of who started CNN, why it began in Atlanta, and how that decision still shapes the city today.

Who Started CNN in Atlanta?

The founder of CNN is Ted Turner, an Atlanta-based businessman and media executive.

At the time he started CNN:

  • He already owned Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) in Atlanta
  • He had experience running a local Atlanta television station
  • He believed a 24-hour news channel could work, even though many people doubted it

From Atlanta, Turner built CNN into the world’s first 24-hour television news network, changing both the news industry and Atlanta’s image on the global stage.

Key facts:

  • Founder: Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III
  • City of origin: Atlanta, Georgia
  • Launch date: June 1, 1980
  • Original concept: 24-hour, around-the-clock cable news, produced and broadcast from Atlanta

Why Was CNN Started in Atlanta?

For someone in Atlanta, it’s important to understand that the city isn’t just a backdrop—it’s central to CNN’s origin story.

1. Ted Turner Was Already Rooted in Atlanta

Ted Turner wasn’t an outsider picking Atlanta at random. He:

  • Based Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta
  • Operated WTBS, a local Atlanta station that became a national “superstation” via cable
  • Used Atlanta as his business and media hub

Because of that, when he developed the idea for CNN, Atlanta was the natural launch point.

2. Atlanta Was a Growing Media and Business Center

Even in the 1970s and 1980s, Atlanta was emerging as a major Southern business center, with:

  • Strong transportation connections through Hartsfield (now Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)
  • A growing corporate presence downtown and in Midtown
  • A reputation as a forward-looking, modern city

Launching CNN in Atlanta helped reinforce the city’s role as a regional and then global media hub.

3. Lower Costs Compared to New York or Los Angeles

While not always the headline detail, one practical advantage was that operating costs in Atlanta—including real estate and staffing—were typically lower than in New York or Los Angeles at the time.

That made it easier for Turner to try something as ambitious and risky as a 24-hour cable news network, which many people doubted would be financially viable.

Where in Atlanta Did CNN Start?

CNN’s operations grew out of Turner’s Atlanta media properties, and the network eventually became closely associated with the CNN Center in downtown Atlanta.

CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta

For decades, the main symbol of CNN in the city has been CNN Center, located near major landmarks like:

  • State Farm Arena
  • The Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • The Georgia World Congress Center

While internal operations and ownership have changed over time, the CNN Center has long served as:

  • A broadcast facility
  • A news production hub
  • A recognizable tourist landmark for visitors to Atlanta

If you’ve ever walked through downtown near the sports and entertainment district, you’ve likely seen the familiar CNN logo on the building.

CNN’s Atlanta Roots: Quick Reference

Here’s a simple summary for locals and visitors who want the basics at a glance:

TopicKey Details
Who started CNN?Robert Edward “Ted” Turner III
Where was it started?Atlanta, Georgia
When did it launch?June 1, 1980
Original headquarters?Downtown Atlanta, later known widely as CNN Center
Why Atlanta?Turner’s base of operations, lower costs, and Atlanta’s rising business status

How CNN Shaped Atlanta’s Identity

For people in Atlanta, CNN is more than a cable channel—its presence has influenced how the city is viewed around the world.

1. Putting Atlanta on the Global Media Map

When CNN started broadcasting international news from Atlanta 24 hours a day, it helped:

  • Make Atlanta known as a global news city
  • Position the city as more than just a regional center
  • Attract additional media, tech, and corporate interest

Many Atlantans see CNN as part of the broader story that includes the 1996 Olympic Games, major corporate headquarters, and Atlanta’s role in international business and culture.

2. Jobs and Local Economy

CNN’s Atlanta presence has supported:

  • Media and production jobs
  • Work for journalists, editors, camera operators, and technical staff
  • Business for local vendors, services, and hospitality in the downtown area

For students in Atlanta studying journalism, film, or communications, CNN has also been a key point of interest for internships and career paths.

Visiting CNN-Related Areas in Atlanta Today

Even if you’re just visiting, knowing CNN’s Atlanta origin can add meaning to places you pass downtown.

Downtown Landmarks Near CNN’s Historic Home

If you’re walking or staying downtown, CNN has historically been close to:

  • Centennial Olympic Park – a large public park great for strolling and city views
  • State Farm Arena – home to major concerts and Atlanta Hawks basketball games
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium – home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United
  • Georgia World Congress Center – a major convention center

These spots form a compact district, so visitors often experience CNN-related history as part of a wider downtown Atlanta day.

What Atlanta Residents Often Want to Know

Is CNN Still Based in Atlanta?

CNN’s operations and leadership have become more spread out over the years, with major activity in cities like New York as well.
However, Atlanta has remained an important production and operations city in CNN’s history.

If you live here, you may still see:

  • Atlanta datelines on certain news segments
  • References to Atlanta studios in credits or on-air tags

Did CNN Only Cover Atlanta News at First?

No. Even though it started in Atlanta and has always had local ties, CNN was designed from day one as a national and international news network, not a local Atlanta-only station.

That said, Atlanta news and events—from politics to major weather events and sports—have naturally had prominent coverage because the network’s roots are here.

Why This Matters if You Live in or Visit Atlanta

Knowing who started CNN in Atlanta and how it began gives you context for:

  • Why Atlanta is often mentioned in global news coverage
  • Why the city is viewed as a media and business hub
  • How Atlanta fits into the bigger picture of modern broadcast and cable news

In simple terms:
CNN was started by Ted Turner in Atlanta, and that decision helped shape both the network’s identity and the city’s role on the world stage.