Charles Dolan, the influential billionaire credited with revolutionizing the television landscape, has died at the age of 98. Known for his role in bringing cable television to New York during the 1960s and 1970s, Dolan initially sold specialized programming to hotels through his Teleguide service while cable was gaining traction in rural areas. In 1964, he secured a deal with the city to wire select Manhattan buildings for cable services. In a bid to increase viewership, Dolan famously broadcast the Knicks and Rangers playoff games, a move that showcased his innovative spirit. He went on to establish Home Box Office (HBO) for movies, and later sold both HBO and his cable service to fund the creation of Cablevision, which ultimately served countless homes across the northeastern United States.

By 2015, Dolan's family sold Cablevision to Altice for approximately $18 billion (£14.3 billion). At that point, his son James had taken the reins of the family business. The Dolan family has often been a source of contention for New Yorkers, criticized for the performance of the Knicks and feuds with networks that nearly disrupted major events like the Academy Awards and World Series. When he passed, Charles Dolan's fortune was estimated at $5.4 billion (£4.3 billion) according to Forbes, cementing his status as a key figure in the media industry.