The family has confirmed that Charles Dolan died at the age of 98, having passed away because of natural causes on Saturday. A true cable television visionary, Charles Dolan was pioneering the redefinition of the entertainment and news broadcasting landscape.
Dolan, born in 1926, began his career in New York City in 1952. He created Sterling Manhattan Cable in 1962. Here he secured exclusive deals with major professional sports teams such as the New York Knicks and Rangers. Ten years later, he launched Home Box Office in 1972. He then revolutionized the viewing habits of television permanently.
In 1973, Dolan founded Cablevision Systems, which became one of the biggest pay-TV operators in the New York metropolitan area. His ventures came to include AMC Networks company that produced the very popular series Mad Men and Breaking Bad and the pioneering 24-hour local news channel News12.
Dolan’s media empire reaches into the Madison Square Garden Company, which includes the famous venue, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, and Radio City Music Hall. His legacy also encompasses the Las Vegas Sphere, a cutting-edge entertainment venue recently added to the family’s holdings.
Dolan’s influence in the media world was historical, with his innovations redefining the future of cable television and local news. His family, which has an estimated net worth of $5.4 billion, continues to manage these ventures.
He is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Ann Dolan, in 2023.
The Dolan family expressed deep sorrow over the loss, celebrating Charles Dolan as a pioneering entrepreneur and beloved patriarch. His contributions to the industry and community will leave an enduring legacy.
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