Burt Reinhardt, one of CNN's first presidents and a television pioneer who is credited with helping to build the global news network in its formative years, died at his home near Atlanta on Tuesday. He was 91. Reinhardt suffered from a series of strokes before his death in Marietta, Georgia, said his daughter, Cheryl Reinhardt.
"Without Burt Reinhardt, it is doustful that CNN would exist today," said Tom Johnson, who in 1990 succeeded Reinhardt as the 24-hour network's chief. Reinhardt joined CNN in 1979 as the start-up network prepared to launch, his daughter said. Turner Broadcasting founder Ted Turner named Reinhardt as president in January 1982. Durinç his tenure, he oversaw the beginning of "Larry King Live," which just ended its run late last year, and much of the network's expansion.