Legacy of Cable Television Pioneer: Charles Dolan Passes Away at 98

Charles Dolan, the influential billionaire and creator of HBO, has passed away at the age of 98, leaving a lasting mark on the television landscape. Dolan was a trailblazer who introduced cable television to New York City in the 1960s and 70s, providing a foundation for what would become a multi-billion dollar industry.

Dolan initially started by selling programming through his Teleguide service to hotels, at a time when cable was beginning to burgeon in rural areas. In 1964, he struck a pivotal deal with the city to wire several buildings in Manhattan for cable access. His contributions to the industry escalated when he managed to broadcast noteworthy events like the Knicks and Rangers playoff games, drawing viewers to his service.

He went on to establish Home Box Office (HBO) to showcase films before eventually selling HBO and his cable service to expand his business into Cablevision, which became a significant provider of television and internet services across the Northeastern United States. His family's legacy continued when they sold Cablevision for nearly $18 billion to Altice in 2015, with his son James taking the helm of their vast enterprise.

Despite their contributions, the Dolan family's prominence was often met with criticism from New Yorkers, particularly regarding the performance of the Knicks and their contentious negotiations with television networks that impacted major events like the Academy Awards and the World Series. At the time of his death, Forbes estimated Dolan's net worth to be around $5.4 billion.