Cable Television Pioneer Charles Dolan Passes Away at 98

Charles Dolan, who revolutionized cable television in New York, has died at the age of 98, leaving a significant impact through his ventures, including HBO and Cablevision.

Billionaire programmer and media mogul Charles Dolan, known for his foundational role in the development of cable television, has died at the age of 98. Dolan's influence emerged in the 1960s and 70s when he began selling niche programming to hotels via his Teleguide service, paving the way for what would become a massive cable industry.

In 1964, Dolan made a significant deal with the City of New York to install cable wiring in select Manhattan buildings. His strategic move to broadcast games for the New York Knicks and Rangers on cable bolstered viewer interest in this new medium. Dolan advanced further by founding Home Box Office (HBO), which became a hallmark for premium movie viewing, before transitioning to grow Cablevision, a major provider of television and internet services in the northeastern United States.

The Dolan family capitalized on their media empire, eventually selling Cablevision to Altice, a European telecommunications company, in 2015 for almost $18 billion. By this time, Dolan's son, James, had taken the reins of the family business. Despite their considerable success, the Dolans earned a complicated reputation among New Yorkers, often criticized for their management of the Knicks and disputes regarding programming access that put beloved events like the Academy Awards and the World Series at risk.

At the time of his passing, Charles Dolan was reported to have a net worth of approximately $5.4 billion, according to Forbes, solidifying his status as a titan in the media industry. His legacy endures not only in the networks he established but as a cornerstone in the evolution of modern television.