Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98

Charles Dolan, who founded some of America’s most prominent media companies, including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at the age of 98, according to a news report.

A statement released by his family on Saturday said Dolan died of natural causes. Newsday reports this late Saturday.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, Charles Dolan, the visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision,” the statement said.

Newsday is owned by Dolan’s son, Patrick Dolan, following Cablevision’s purchase of Newsday Media Group in 2008, the newspaper reported.

Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes the 1972 launch of Home Box Office, commonly known as HBO, and the founding of Cablevision in 1973 and the television station American Movie Classics in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first 24-hour cable channel. channel for local news in the US, Newsday reports.

Dolan, whose main home was in Cove Neck Village on New York’s Long Island, also had controlling interests in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers, Newsday reported.

James Dolan, another son of Charles Dolan, is CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company, which now controls its sports teams and sports and entertainment venues.

Dolan is survived by five children, 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His wife, Helen Ann Dolan, died in 2023, Newsday reported.