Charles Dolan, a legendary figure in the media sector, known for his pivotal role in transforming New York's television landscape, has died at the age of 98. In the 1960s and 1970s, he pioneered the cable television revolution by providing specialized programming through his Teleguide service to hotels while establishing a foothold in rural regions.
His groundbreaking deal in 1964 with New York City to wire several Manhattan buildings was a game-changer, enabling him to broadcast major sports events like the Knicks and Rangers playoffs on cable television. This laid the groundwork for the eventual creation of Home Box Office (HBO) for premium movie broadcasting.
Dolan's entrepreneurial spirit led him to sell both his cable initiative and HBO to expand Cablevision, which ultimately became a household name in the northeastern United States by offering cable television and internet services. In 2015, the Dolan family sold Cablevision to the European telecommunications firm Altice for approximately $18 billion (£14.3 billion).
At the time of his death, Dolan's wealth was estimated by Forbes at $5.4 billion (£4.3 billion). His family, particularly his son James, had taken over the business, which was often criticized by New Yorkers due to frustrations with the performance of the Knicks and contentious programming disputes affecting high-profile events like the Academy Awards and the World Series. Nonetheless, Charles Dolan's legacy as a pioneer of cable television remains unmatched.
