Charles Dolan, the founder of renowned U.S. media companies such as Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has passed away at the age of 98, as reported in the news.
A statement issued Saturday by his family said Dolan died of natural causes, Newsday reported late Saturday.
The statement announcing his passing expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Charles Dolan, referring to him as the visionary founder of HBO and Cablevision.
Newsday is owned by Dolan’s son, Patrick Dolan, following Cablevision’s purchase of Newsday Media Group in 2008, the newspaper reported.
Charles Dolan’s contribution to cable broadcasting includes the establishment of Home Box Office (HBO) in 1972, the founding of Cablevision in 1973, and the launch of the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. Additionally, he introduced News 12 in New York City, which was the first 24-hour cable channel dedicated to local news in the United States, as reported by Newsday.
Dolan, whose primary home was in Cove Neck Village on Long Island in New York, also held controlling stakes 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 of Charles Dolan’s sons, is CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company, which now controls the 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.
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