Charles Dolan, the visionary billionaire behind the creation of HBO and the establishment of Cablevision, has died at the age of 98. Dolan's career began in the 1960s when he identified the growing potential of cable television, pioneering its introduction in New York during a time when the medium was primarily limited to rural areas.
In 1964, Dolan struck a groundbreaking deal with the city of New York to wire several Manhattan buildings for cable, marking a significant milestone in urban broadcasting. He sought to entice viewers with exclusive programming, notably securing deals to broadcast playoffs for the Knicks and Rangers, which garnered a loyal subscriber base.
Dolan went on to establish Home Box Office, laying the groundwork for premium cable channels that offered movies and special content. His ventures culminated in the creation of Cablevision, a service that became a television and internet provider for households across the northeastern United States.
In 2015, the Dolan family sold Cablevision to the European company Altice for a staggering $18 billion. At that time, James Dolan, Charles’ son, was at the helm of the family business, which had become a prominent yet polarizing entity in New York due to frustrations surrounding the performance of the Knicks and disputes with networks that affected viewers' access to major events, including the Academy Awards and the World Series.
Upon his passing, Dolan's net worth was estimated at $5.4 billion, according to Forbes. Known for his significant contributions to the media landscape, Dolan's legacy leaves a profound impact on the evolution of television and cable programming in the United States.
