Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of America’s most prominent media companies, including Home Box Office and Cablevision Systems, has died at the age of 98, according to news reports.
Dolan’s family announced in a statement Saturday that he died of natural causes, Newsday reported late Saturday.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Dolan, our beloved father, patriarch, and visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision,” the statement said.
Dolan’s accomplishments in cable broadcasting include the launch of Home Box Office (later known as HBO) in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classic television station in 1984. He also launched News 12, the first 24-hour cable in New York City. Newsday reports that it is a local news channel in the United States.
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 he continues to help shape our future as a member of the Board of Directors. As the founder of Cablevision and HBO, he has made an impact on the media, sports and entertainment industry. The impact is immeasurable,” he said in a statement. “We do not anticipate that this will directly or indirectly result in a change in ownership by the Dolan family.”
The Cleveland native, who dropped out of John Carroll University outside Cleveland, completed the $17.7 billion sale of Cablevision to European communications and cable company Altice in June 2016.
Mr. Dolan was based in Cove Neck Village on Long Island, New York, and also held controlling interests in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, according to Newsday. The paper reported.
One of his sons, James L. Dolan, served as CEO of Cablevision from 1995 until its sale to Altice in 2016. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Madison Square Garden Sports, Inc. According to the MSG Sports website, the company owns the Knicks and Rangers franchises, among others.
Newsday, which Cablevision acquired in 2008, also came under Altice’s control as a result of the sale. Charles Dolan’s other son, Patrick Dolan, led the group that bought back 75% of Newsday Media Group in July 2016. Patrick Dolan then bought the remaining 25% stake in 2018.
At the time of his death, Charles Dolan and his family had a net worth of $5.4 billion, Forbes reported.
Dolan was the founder and chairman emeritus of the Lustgarten Foundation in Uniondale, New York, which conducts pancreatic cancer research.
He is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His wife, Helen Ann Dolan, died in 2023, Newsday reported.
