Charles Dolan is the founder of both Cablevision and HBO, pioneering major advancements in the cable television industry and premium programming services in the United States.
About Charles Dolan
Charles Francis Dolan (1926–2024) was an American billionaire and media entrepreneur best known for creating Cablevision Systems Corporation and Home Box Office (HBO). He began his cable ventures in Manhattan with Sterling Manhattan Cable and later sold its Manhattan operations to Time Inc., focusing on developing Cablevision in Long Island and its surrounding suburbs. Dolan founded HBO in the early 1970s, making it the first premium programming service in the cable TV sector, and later sold it to Time Life.
Major Achievements
- Founded Sterling Manhattan Cable, which became Cablevision
- Launched HBO (Home Box Office), the first premium cable TV service in the US
- Established regional sports and arts cable channels, including SportsChannel and Bravo
- Helped create enduring entertainment businesses such as AMC Networks and MSG Entertainment
- Cablevision expanded from serving a small Long Island base to 3 million households and was sold to Altice in 2016
Legacy
Charles Dolan left a lasting impact on the media, sports, and entertainment industries, with his family continuing to manage businesses such as AMC Networks and Madison Square Garden Sports. His innovations—especially HBO and Cablevision—transformed American cable television.
