Charles F. Dolan, the visionary founder of Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has passed away at the age of 98 due to natural causes, as reported by Newsday. Dolan's family issued a statement announcing his death and highlighting his significant contributions to the media industry.
Dolan's legacy in cable broadcasting is profound, with notable achievements such as the launch of Home Box Office in 1972, which later became HBO. In 1973, he founded Cablevision and went on to establish the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. Additionally, Dolan was instrumental in launching News 12 in New York City, the first 24-hour cable channel dedicated to local news in the United States.
Having sold Cablevision to Altice for $17.7 billion in June 2016, Dolan's impact extended beyond broadcasting. He held controlling stakes in companies that owned iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, as well as sports franchises including the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers.
His son, James L. Dolan, succeeded him as Cablevision CEO and currently serves as the executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. The family's involvement in media extended to Newsday, which was acquired by Cablevision in 2008 and later repurchased by Patrick Dolan in 2016.
At the time of his passing, Charles Dolan and his family had a net worth of $5.4 billion, according to Forbes. Beyond his business ventures, Dolan was actively involved in philanthropy as the founder and chairman emeritus of The Lustgarten Foundation, focusing on pancreatic cancer research.
Charles Dolan is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His wife, Helen Ann Dolan, passed away in 2023, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the media and broadcasting industry.
