Charles Dolan dead at 98: Billionaire media mogul founded HBO and Cablevision
Charles Dolan, the pioneering founder of HBO and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at the age of 98.
In a statement released Saturday, his family announced: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, Charles Dolan, the visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision,” said Newsday.
The outlet also reported that he died of natural causes.
Dolan’s groundbreaking contributions to cable television include the launch of HBO in 1972, the founding of Cablevision in 1973, and the founding of American Movie Classics (AMC) in 1984.
He also launched News 12, the first 24-hour local news channel in the US, changing the way people kept up with regional news.
Dolan had significant stakes in iconic properties such as Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, according to the outlet.
Charles Dolan, the pioneering founder of HBO and Cablevision Systems Corp., died at age 98; (seen in 2001)
In a statement released Saturday, his family announced, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, Charles Dolan, the visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision,” Newsday reported.
His son James Dolan, CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company, will continue to oversee these assets, according to Newsday.
Newsday has been owned by Dolan’s son Patrick since Cablevision acquired Newsday Media Group in 2008.
Dolan is survived by five children, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
His wife Helen Ann Dolan died in 2023.