Orchard Enterprises NY, Inc.,[2] doing business as The Orchard (also known as The Orchard Music), is an American music and entertainment company, specializing in media distribution.[3][4] It is a division of Sony Music Entertainment, based in New York City.[5] In 2019, the company sold off its film and television division, which was renamed 1091 Media.[6][7]
In early 2003, the Orchard was bought by Dimensional Associates. Danny Stein, the CEO of Dimensional Associates, was appointed Executive Chairman,[9] and Greg Scholl left management consulting firm McKinsey & Company to become The Orchard's CEO,[10] changing its strategy and operating model and building a new management team. In 2009, Scholl accepted a position as president, Local Integrated Media at NBCUniversal[11] and Brad Navin was appointed CEO.[12]
In 2012, Sony acquired a majority stake of 51% in the company in a cash and equity deal with an estimated total valuation of $100 million.[13] In 2015, the remaining equity in the company was acquired by Sony Music Entertainment for over $200 million.[13]
IODA (Independent Online Distribution Alliance) was a global sales, marketing and distribution company with majority stake owned by Sony. The subsidiary serviced independent artists, labels, filmmakers and other content providers on digital and mobile outlets, including making copyright claims on online content.[14] IODA had relationships with major mobile and online download retailers including iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, and Amazon.com.
On July 1, 2009, Sony Music Entertainment and IODA announced their global strategic partnership to leverage combined worldwide online retail distribution networks and complementary technologies to support independent labels and music rightsholders.[15][16]
On March 5, 2012, Sony acquired the remaining stake of IODA. The company's operations were merged with the Orchard.[17][18]
The Orchard's YouTube multi-channel network had more than 1,000 channels across the globe and uses technology, built in-house, called B.A.C.O.N. (Bulk Automated Claiming on The Orchard Network) to crawl, claim and track YouTube videos to monetize for their clients.[19] It was ranked 7th in the U.S. in July 2014.[20]
The Orchard owns the catalogues of TVT Records,[21] Premium Latin Music (home to Aventura),[22] Blind Pig Records,[23] Frenchkiss Records,[24] Shrapnel Records,[25] and Music of the World.
In 2019, the Orchard Film was sold and renamed 1091 Media.[26][27]
The Orchard acquired Balcony TV, an online music channel that featured acoustic performances on balconies around the world, in 2014.[28]
