Charles F. DolanDolan, who founded some of America’s best-known media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at the age of 98. Dolan died of natural causes.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision, Charles Dolan,” the statement said.
Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes the launch of Home Box Office (later known as HBO) in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and American Movie Classics in 1984. 12 According to Newsday, a local news channel in the United States.
The Cleveland native, who dropped out of John Carroll University in suburban Cleveland, completed the sale of Cablevision to European telecommunications and cable TV company Altice in June 2016 for $17.7 billion.
According to Newsday, Dolan’s primary residence is in Cove Neck Village on Long Island, New York, and he also holds interests in companies that own Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the New York Knicks and New York Rangers sports franchises. controlling interest.
His son, James L. Dolan, served as CEO of Cablevision from 1995 until its sale to Altice in 2016. He is now executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports.
Statements from MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment recalled Dolan’s “vision.”
“Mr. Dolan’s vision laid the foundation for the company we are today, and as a member of the Board of Directors, he continues to help shape our future. His impact on the media, sports and entertainment industries is immeasurable, including as a founding member of Cablevision and HBO People. “We do not expect this to change the ownership of the Dolan family, directly or indirectly. “
Newsday, which Cablevision acquired in 2008, also fell under Altice’s control with the sale. A group led by Charles Dolan’s other son, Patrick Dolan, bought back 75% of Newsday Media Group shares in July 2016. Patrick Dolan later purchased the remaining 25% stake in 2018.
According to Forbes, Charles Dolan and his family had a net worth of $5.4 billion at the time of his death.
Dolan is founder and chairman emeritus of the Lustgarten Foundation in Uniondale, New York, which conducts pancreatic cancer research.
He is survived by 6 children, 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. His wife, Helen Ann Dolan, died in 2023, Newsday reported.
