In 1990, Johnson moved from print to television, as CNN founder Ted Turner asked him to serve as the third president of the news channel. Johnson succeeded outgoing CNN president, Burt Reinhardt. Johnson's first year saw the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War, an event that helped place CNN firmly in the public consciousness. He ran CNN until his retirement in 2001, presiding over both triumphant and controversial moments in the history of the network. Walter Isaacson succeeded Johnson as the president of CNN in July 2001.