E1 Entertainment

Koch Entertainment LP is a North American entertainment company based in New York City, Nashville, Tennessee and Toronto, Canada.

In 1991, Koch became the first national independent distributor of domestic labels in the U.S., offering the first alternative to the traditional system of regional independent distribution or national major label distribution. ^{[citation needed]}

In 1992, Koch was ranked #315 on Inc. Magazine’s list of America’s 500 fastest-growing private companies, and has since grown into an entertainment conglomerate. Today, it is the largest independent music and video distributor in North America, holding the highest market share of any independent. Billboard Magazine and CNN cited Koch as the #1 Independent Distributor and Record Label in North America, and Entrepreneur Magazine praised Koch as “a multimedia force to be reckoned with" ^{[citation needed]}. Koch has consecutively received the nomination for Distributor of the Year from 2001-2005 by the National Academy of Recording Merchandisers (NARM). ^{[citation needed]}

Koch expanded into the Canadian market in 1995 by forming the Toronto-based Koch Entertainment Canada.

In 2004, Koch held the top 3 positions on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart in May of that year, a status that only a few independent companies have been able to achieve ^{[citation needed]}. In addition, Koch launched its New Media division in 2005 as part of its plan to enter the digital distribution market.

Its primary subsidiary, Koch Records, is the largest independent record label in the United States. A number of its artists were formerly signed to major labels, including Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony, Black Ice, DJ Unk, Mike Beck, Xzibit, DJ Kay Slay, J-Hood, Tha Dogg Pound, Purple City, Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy, Tha Alkaholiks, Scarface, Sheek Louch, Lil' Troy, Too Short, Keith Murray, Bleu Davinci, Domination, AZ, Kurupt, Joan Baez, Ringo Starr, Boyz II Men, Opeth, Cradle of Filth, and KRS-One. Koch Records has also signed a number of former American Idol contestants, including William Hung, Jim Verraros, and the band of Constantine Maroulis, Pray For The Soul Of Betty.

Koch Records' country division, once known as Audium, is now known as Koch Nashville.

Koch's other subsidiaries are its theatrical/DVD label Koch-Lorber Films, its television programming and home video company Koch Vision, its publishing adminstration system Koch Publishing, its retail distribution arm Koch Distribution, and Koch Entertainment Canada.

In a July 2006 interview, Snoop Dogg announced that he will be named a CEO of Koch West, a newly formed subsidiary of Koch Entertainment. [1]

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