Had Charles Dolan not pursued a career in media, other entrepreneurs would have eventually discovered how to leverage technology and the arts to establish the pay television market. However, Dolan was the first to seize that opportunity.

The iconic founder of HBO and Cablevision, who passed away on December 28 at the age of 98, epitomized vision and innovation. He understood the advantages that wired television services could offer consumers, distinguishing them from traditional over-the-air broadcasts. In the 1960s, Dolan recognized the growing demand for premium entertainment and sports, long before the concept of monthly cable subscriptions became commonplace.

John Malone, chairman of Liberty Media and a contemporary of Dolan during the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s as CEO of Tele-Communications Inc., paid homage to his long-time colleague.

“For over 50 years, I had the privilege of knowing Chuck Dolan as a partner, vendor, co-director, investor, customer, and friend,” Malone stated to Variety. “His exceptional entrepreneurship was instrumental in building the cable industry and fostering the growth of significant businesses in sports, entertainment, and media.”

Beyond his business acumen, Malone emphasized Dolan’s blend of integrity and boldness, which enabled him to create opportunities not only for himself but for the emerging cable industry as a whole.

“The world needs more individuals like Chuck who are willing to take risks, innovate, and pursue their own paths without worrying about conventional methods,” Malone remarked. “There is no better human being. We will miss him.”

Friends and colleagues noted Dolan’s relentless drive for innovation and business creation. He was instrumental in establishing the American Movie Classics channel in 1984 and played a key role in launching Bravo around the same period.

Josh Sapan, former CEO of AMC Networks, which is still under the Dolan family’s control, collaborated closely with Charles Dolan for over 30 years as a senior programming executive. Sapan credited Dolan with launching the first regional cable sports network from Madison Square Garden and later regional cable news channels through Cablevision’s News12 group.

“Chuck embraced the inevitability of change with a clear vision of what was next,” Sapan told Variety. “He was always inventing — never imitating.”

Dolan was the type of leader who allowed others to take the spotlight, which may explain why his contributions to the modern television landscape are often overlooked, even by industry insiders.

“Chuck eagerly embraced new ideas, even when it meant risking current business — all while maintaining a sense of humor and a quiet generosity that allowed others to shine,” Sapan noted.

In business, Dolan was formidable yet fair. After founding HBO, he left early on to focus on transforming Cablevision into a leading cable operator for suburban families on Long Island. His deep understanding of all facets of the cable industry was vital to its expansion.

RELATED CONTENT: Charles Dolan, Cable Industry Pioneer, Founder of HBO and AMC, Dies at 98

Jeff Bewkes, former CEO of Time Warner and long-time head of HBO, became acquainted with Dolan while negotiating carriage deals for HBO and other Time Warner channels with Cablevision. As a true pioneer of cable, Dolan brought a unique perspective to negotiations.

“He was not anyone’s idea of a pushover. He was fair and reasonable, yet he understood he was part of a developing industry,” Bewkes told Variety. “He recognized that a ruthless negotiating style could harm the industry. He was pragmatic and aware of the fragility of the programming sector, wanting to see it thrive.”

Furthermore, “Chuck’s handshake was a guarantee for a deal,” Bewkes recalled. “Many times, we would conclude negotiations with a handshake, and Chuck always honored it.”

The inspiration for launching Home Box Office in 1972 stemmed from Dolan’s experience at Sterling Television in New York. Sterling had acquired the TV syndication company that Dolan and his wife, Helen, started from their home in Cleveland in the early 1950s.

After relocating to New York, Dolan established an industrial films division for Sterling, leading to a partnership with several upscale New York hotels to provide movies and informational content via closed-circuit TV for tourists and convention attendees. He noticed how frequently clients praised the superior picture quality of the hotel TV service compared to local broadcasts, which sparked two significant ideas.

At that time, cable-like services were emerging in rural areas where broadcast signals were weak. Dolan recognized that urban centers like New York also needed improved picture quality due to obstructions like skyscrapers. He also identified a demand for more programming than what was available on the limited local channels.

Throughout his extensive career, Dolan earned the respect and friendship of many competitors. Ralph Roberts, another cable pioneer and founder of Comcast, was one such individual, as noted by Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast and Ralph’s son. Ralph Roberts passed away in 2015 at the age of 95.

“Chuck Dolan was truly a visionary, and the industry would be vastly different today without his creativity, passion, and dedication,” Brian Roberts told Variety. “He was a remarkable gentleman. Chuck and my father shared a wonderful journey in the cable industry over six decades. He will be greatly missed.”

In its early development, the channel that became Home Box Office was initially referred to as “the Green Channel.” Dolan envisioned it as a video department store, offering a little something for everyone.

After years of planning and a few setbacks, Dolan’s Sterling Television and its partner, Time Inc., launched Home Box Office on November 8, 1972. At that time, the entire audience could have fit into a high school auditorium, with HBO reaching just 365 homes in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania — a prime location for early cable due to its challenging reception conditions. The first HBO subscribers paid an additional $6 per month for this premium service.

HBO’s inaugural programming featured a live New York Rangers hockey game from Madison Square Garden, foreshadowing Cablevision’s later acquisition of the team and venue in the late 1990s. This was followed by an uncut airing of the 1971 drama “Sometimes A Great Notion,” starring Paul Newman and Henry Fonda, a title that proved to be quite prophetic.

“Charles Dolan was a visionary creator, an exceptional business leader, and a great friend whose establishment of HBO transformed the quality and prestige of storytelling on television,” stated David Zaslav, CEO of HBO’s parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. “His influence is still felt today at HBO, Warner Bros. Discovery, and throughout our industry.”

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From the Variety Archives

A story from the November 17, 1982 edition of weekly Variety revisits HBO’s modest beginnings as the service celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Person

Charles Dolan, John Malone, Josh Sapan, Jeff Bewkes, Helen Dolan, Ralph Roberts, Brian Roberts, David Zaslav

Company Names

HBO, Cablevision, Liberty Media, Tele-Communications Inc., AMC Networks, Comcast, Time Inc., Warner Bros. Discovery

Titles

Home Box Office, American Movie Classics, Bravo, Sometimes A Great Notion

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