Charles Dolan, Pioneer of Cable Television, Passes Away at 98

Charles Dolan, the billionaire who transformed television in New York by pioneering cable services, has passed away at the age of 98, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the media landscape.

Dolan began his venture into cable television during the 1960s, initially selling special programming to hotels through his Teleguide service. As cable began to gain traction in rural areas, Dolan seized the opportunity to wire Manhattan buildings with cable and struck a deal to broadcast NBA and NHL play-offs. In 1972, he founded Home Box Office (HBO), which became a landmark in premium television.

He later sold his interests in both the cable service and HBO to create Cablevision, which subsequently provided television and internet services across the northeastern United States. By 2015, Cablevision was sold to the European company Altice for nearly $18 billion, cementing the Dolan family's significant influence in the industry.

Dolan's legacy is complex; while his contributions to media are monumental, he and his family earned a contentious reputation among fans due to frustrations with the performance of the New York Knicks and disagreements over television programming. At the time of his death, Dolan's net worth was estimated at $5.4 billion, showcasing his substantial impact on the world of entertainment and media.