Charles Dolan

Chairman

Charles F. Dolan is the founder and chairman of Cablevision Systems Corporation, one of the nation's leading telecommunications, media and entertainment companies.

Over nearly four decades, Cablevision has developed a portfolio of operations that ranges from digital voice service, high-speed Internet access and robust digital cable television packages to programming properties, national television networks, local publishing outlets and interactive offerings. Founded by Mr. Dolan in 1973, Cablevision started as a cable television operator serving 1,500 customers in New York's Long Island suburbs. Today, the company operates the nation's largest single cable cluster, spanning the New York metropolitan area.

Cablevision delivers the benefits of broadband and digital communications through a range of popular telecommunications services, made possible by its state-of-the-art fiber-rich network. These advanced offerings are available to more than 5 million households and smaller businesses throughout the company's New York tri-state service area and include iO TV digital video, Optimum Voice digital voice, Optimum Online high-speed Internet access and Optimum WiFi, the nation's largest and most advanced WiFi network. In addition, to meet the needs of larger companies, Cablevision's Optimum Lightpath delivers integrated business communications solutions.

Complementing the company's cable television operations is Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, a Cablevision subsidiary that reaches millions of customers worldwide with its targeted, multi-platform content that includes popular programming networks AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. Rainbow Media also operates IFC Entertainment, a leader in the independent film industry dedicated to bringing specialty films to the largest possible audience.

Other Cablevision assets include local media and programming properties focused on serving communities throughout the tri-state area. These consist of News 12 Networks' local news channels; MSG Varsity's suite of television and online services covering high school activities; and Newsday Media Group, which features Long Island's leading daily newspaper Newsday, Newsday.com and the New York City daily amNewYork. In addition, Cablevision owns and operates Clearview Cinemas, one of the New York area's leading motion picture exhibitors whose famed Ziegfeld Theatre is a frequent and historic venue for Manhattan film premieres and events.

Charles "Chuck" Dolan was born on October 16, 1926 in Cleveland. The son of an inventor, he served in the U.S. Air Force and studied at John Carroll University before blazing a trail in telecommunications. His earliest professional endeavors focused on the packaging, marketing and distribution of sports and industrial films. Working together with his wife in their Cleveland home, Mr. Dolan edited and produced short film reels of sports events for syndication to television stations. Selling the business, Mr. Dolan joined the acquiring firm and moved east to New York, the center of the developing electronic media world.

In the early 1960s, Mr. Dolan established Teleguide Inc., which provided information services via cable to New York City hotels. That same decade, he founded Sterling Manhattan Cable, the nation's first urban cable television company. In its early years, Sterling forged first-of-its-kind agreements to bring local professional sports teams, cultural programming and movies into the homes of New York City cable viewers.

In the early 1970s, Mr. Dolan founded Home Box Office Inc. (HBO), the first premium programming service in the cable television industry. He organized Cablevision Systems Corporation on Long Island after the sale of HBO to Time-Life, Inc. and has spearheaded many of Cablevision's advancements. Currently, he is a member of Cablevision's board of directors and its executive committee.

Mr. Dolan also serves on the board of Madison Square Garden (MSG), a former Cablevision subsidiary. In 1995, he was instrumental in establishing Cablevision's original partnership with the Garden, which was a part of the Cablevision family of companies until its spin-off in early 2010. The MSG properties include the arena complex; professional sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty; sports and entertainment networks MSG, MSG Plus and Fuse; and performance venues such as The Chicago Theatre, and New York's Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre.

Additionally, Mr. Dolan is chairman of the board of directors of The Lustgarten Foundation, which was established in 1998 and is now the nation's largest private supporter of pancreatic cancer research. He is also a trustee of Fairfield University in Connecticut and a member of the board of directors of the Nassau County Crime Stoppers.