The Passing of Charles F. Dolan: A Cable TV Pioneer

Charles F. Dolan, the brain behind some of America's biggest media companies like HBO and Cablevision, has left us at the age of 98. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully due to natural causes. Dolan's journey began in Cleveland, where he dropped out of John Carroll University. His biggest break came in 1972 when he launched Home Box Office, later renamed HBO. Three years after that, he founded Cablevision Systems Corp. He also introduced the first 24-hour local news channel in the US, News 12, in New York City. Dolan's impact on the media, sports, and entertainment industries is immense. He sold Cablevision to a European telecom company, Altice, for a whopping $17. 7 billion in 2016. Even after his death, his family continues to control major properties like Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks, and the New York Rangers.

His sons, James and Patrick, have also made significant strides in the business world. James was the CEO of Cablevision until the sale to Altice, and now he heads Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Patrick, on the other hand, led a group to buy back Newsday Media Group, which was once under Cablevision. Dolan's legacy goes beyond just business. He was a dedicated philanthropist, serving as the founder and chair emeritus of The Lustgarten Foundation, which focuses on pancreatic cancer research. He leaves behind an impressive net worth of $5. 4 billion, along with six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

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