Quick Facts: TBS (Turner Broadcasting)
| Owner | Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) |
| WBD CEO | David Zaslav |
| Largest WBD Shareholder | John Malone / Liberty Media (~26% voting power) |
| Ownership Type | Public subsidiary |
| Founded | 1976 (as WTBS “SuperStation” by Ted Turner) |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, USA (WBD) |
| Network Type | Basic cable television |
| Publicly Traded | Yes (via parent Warner Bros. Discovery, NASDAQ: WBD) |
Who Owns TBS?
TBS is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBD), a publicly traded global media and entertainment company. TBS operates as a basic cable television network within Warner Bros. Discovery’s portfolio, alongside CNN, HBO, Max, TNT, Cartoon Network, and the Warner Bros. film studio. Warner Bros. Discovery was formed in April 2022 through the merger of WarnerMedia (spun off from AT&T) and Discovery, Inc. David Zaslav serves as President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. John Malone, the cable television billionaire known as “the cable cowboy,” holds an outsized voting position in WBD through Liberty Media’s stake, giving him approximately 26% of voting power despite a smaller economic ownership percentage.
About TBS’s History
TBS (Turner Broadcasting System) was launched in 1976 by media entrepreneur Ted Turner as WTBS, a regional Atlanta television station that became one of the first “SuperStations” to be distributed nationally via satellite. Turner expanded his media empire aggressively, launching CNN in 1980, buying the Atlanta Braves and Hawks sports franchises, and acquiring the MGM film library. Time Warner acquired Turner Broadcasting in 1996, integrating TBS into one of the world’s largest media companies. Time Warner was subsequently acquired by AT&T in 2018 and renamed WarnerMedia, before the WarnerMedia-Discovery merger created Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022.
Key Ownership Highlights
- TBS is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD), the media conglomerate formed from the 2022 WarnerMedia-Discovery merger.
- David Zaslav is President and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. John Malone (Liberty Media) holds approximately 26% voting power in WBD.
- TBS was founded by Ted Turner in 1976 as WTBS, one of America’s first nationally distributed cable “SuperStations.”
- Turner sold his company to Time Warner in 1996; it subsequently passed to AT&T (as WarnerMedia) and then to Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022.
- WBD’s portfolio includes TBS, TNT, CNN, HBO, Max (streaming), Warner Bros. film studio, Cartoon Network, and many others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns TBS?
TBS is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD). It operates as a basic cable network within the WBD portfolio, alongside CNN, HBO, TNT, and the Warner Bros. film studio. David Zaslav is CEO of WBD.
Is TBS publicly traded?
TBS is not separately traded. Its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol WBD.
Who founded TBS?
TBS was founded by Ted Turner in 1976 as WTBS, a regional Atlanta TV station that became one of America’s first national cable SuperStations via satellite distribution.
Is TBS still on the air?
Yes. As of 2026, TBS continues to operate as a basic cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, airing a mix of syndicated comedies, NBA basketball, and original programming.
