Charles F. Dolan, the esteemed founder of prominent U.S. media companies such as Home Box Office Inc. (HBO) and Cablevision Systems Corp., has passed away at the age of 98. His family shared the news, stating he died of natural causes.
In a heartfelt statement, Dolan’s family expressed their sorrow, highlighting his role as a visionary leader in the media industry. Dolan’s contributions are significant; he launched HBO in 1972 and founded Cablevision in 1973, along with the American Movie Classics television channel in 1984. He was also responsible for creating News 12 in New York City, which was the first 24-hour cable news channel focused on local news in the United States.
Originally from Cleveland, Dolan left John Carroll University before embarking on his successful career. Notably, he completed the sale of Cablevision to Altice, a European telecommunications company, for a staggering $17.7 billion in June 2016.
Dolan lived primarily in Cove Neck Village on Long Island, New York, and held significant interests in various entertainment venues, including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and sports teams like the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
His son, James L. Dolan, served as CEO of Cablevision until its sale in 2016 and now leads Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Patrick Dolan, another son, played a key role in repurchasing Newsday Media Group, further solidifying the family’s influence in the media landscape.
At the time of his passing, Charles Dolan and his family had an estimated net worth of $5.4 billion. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts, founding The Lustgarten Foundation dedicated to pancreatic cancer research.
Dolan is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His beloved wife, Helen Ann Dolan, passed away earlier in 2023. The legacy he leaves behind is a testament to his impact on the media industry and his family’s ongoing commitment to public service and philanthropy.
