Charles Dolan, Visionary Behind HBO and Cable TV Pioneer, Passes Away at 98

Charles Dolan's groundbreaking deals transformed New York's television scene, resulting in a legacy as a significant player in the evolution of cable television and media.

Charles Dolan, the influential creator of HBO and a key architect of cable television in New York, has passed away at the age of 98. Known for his instrumental work in the 1960s and 1970s, Dolan initially sold specialized programming to hotels via his Teleguide service as cable television began to soar in popularity in rural areas.

In 1964, he struck a pivotal agreement with New York to wire select Manhattan buildings with cable, laying the groundwork for his future accomplishments. His ambition to attract viewers led to a landmark deal that brought New York Knicks and Rangers playoff games to cable television, a bold move at the time.

Dolan's visionary approach culminated in the creation of Home Box Office (HBO), a game-changing platform for film and television. He later sold both his cable service and HBO to focus on expanding Cablevision, which provided television and internet services across the northeastern United States.

In 2015, the Dolan family sold Cablevision to the European telecommunications giant Altice for nearly $18 billion (£14.3 billion). By this time, Dolan's son James was at the helm of what The New York Times described as the family's multi-faceted empire.

The Dolan family has often been a target of public frustration, particularly regarding the performance of the Knicks and contentious disputes with networks that threatened major broadcasts, including the Academy Awards and the World Series. According to Forbes, Dolan held a net worth of $5.4 billion (£4.3 billion) at the time of his passing.