By Natalie Venegas
Weekend Reporter
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Charles Dolan, a trailblazer in the American media industry and the founder of Home Box Office (HBO) and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at the age of 98, according to Newsday.
Newsweek has reached out to HBO via email for comment on Sunday afternoon.
Why It Matters
Dolan's contributions have transformed the cable broadcasting landscape. In 1972, he launched HBO, which then grew into a premium television network.
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A year later, he founded Cablevision Systems Corp., and built it into one of the nation's largest broadcasting companies. His portfolio of achievements expanded further in 1984 with the creation of the American Movie Classics (AMC) network and News 12, the first 24-hour local news cable channel in the United States.
What To Know
According to a statement from Dolan's family, he passed away at age 98 from natural causes on Saturday, as first reported by Newsday.
"It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, Charles Dolan, the visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision," the family's statement said.
A Cleveland native, Dolan began his professional journey after dropping out of John Carroll University. He went on to create his business ventures that ultimately culminated in June 2016 when he sold Cablevision to Altice, a European telecommunications firm, for $17.7 billion.
His vision has also extended beyond broadcasting as Dolan, whose primary home was in Cove Neck on Long Island, New York, also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks and Rangers, Radio City Music Hall, and MSG Entertainment.
In addition to his professional success, Dolan maintained a strong connection to his family. His son, James L. Dolan, led Cablevision as CEO from 1995 until the Altice sale and now oversees Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. His other son, Patrick Dolan, played a significant role in repurchasing Newsday, which became part of the Cablevision portfolio in 2008.
Following the 2016 sale of Cablevision to Altice, control of Newsday also transferred to the European telecommunications giant. However, Patrick Dolan, reclaimed the family's ties to the paper later that year.
In July 2016, Patrick led a group that repurchased a 75 percent stake in Newsday Media Group. Two years later, he solidified his control by acquiring the remaining 25 percent, ensuring the publication remained under Dolan family stewardship.
At the time of his death, Forbes estimated the Dolan family's net worth at $5.4 billion.
Dolan has also devoted time to philanthropy, co-founding The Lustgarten Foundation in Uniondale, New York, to advance pancreatic cancer research.
Dolan is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His wife of many decades, Helen Ann Dolan, passed away in 2023, Newsday reported.
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What People Are Saying
A statement issued Saturday by Dolan's family said, "Remembered as both a trailblazer in the television industry and a devoted family man, his legacy will live on."
Taylor Chapman, director of communications at Optimum, which is part of Altice, said in an emailed statement to Newsweek on Sunday afternoon: "It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Charles Dolan. The Optimum community will forever honor the legacy and profound impact he had on our organization and industry. We extend our deepest condolences to the Dolan family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time."
MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, and Sphere Entertainment said in a statement, "Mr. Dolan's vision built the foundation for the companies we are today, and as a member of our Boards he continued to help shape our future. The impact he made on the media, sports, and entertainment industries, including as the founder of Cablevision and HBO, is immeasurable. We do not expect this to directly or indirectly change ownership by the Dolan family."
Douglas Gomery, a mass communications scholar, wrote in the 2004 edition of "Encyclopedia of Television," that Dolan "helped establish cable television as an economic, social and cultural force in the United States during the final quarter of the 20th century."
Ted Turner, the founder of CNN, told Newsday in 1990, "He's one of the pioneers of cable television and one of the most brilliant people there is when it comes to programming and seeing what's ahead."
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