The top seven contenders in a crowded and highly competitive race to become California’s next governor will face off in a CNN debate Tuesday at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET).

CNN announced Turner's death on Wednesday. He was 87.

Media mogul Ted Turner, who pioneered the modern 24-hour news culture when he launched the CNN channel, has died at the age of 87, the network has announced.

Turner cofounded CNN on June 1, 1980, with Reese Schonfeld in Atlanta.