NACE 59 – Motion Picture, Video and Television Programme Production, Sound Recording and Music Publishing | Public Tenders

NACE 59 Film and sound recording: film production, distribution and music recording in public tenders. CPV codes, contracting authorities and procurement procedures.

Definition: NACE 59 covers the production of motion pictures, videos and television programmes, sound recording activities, as well as the distribution and rental of audiovisual media. This division includes both artistic and creative productions and technical post-production services.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 59 cover?

NACE 59 (Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording) classifies businesses in the audiovisual industry — a sector that is relevant in public procurement primarily through commissioned productions for government communications, educational films and instructional media.

Division 59 within Section J (Information and Communication) is broken down into two groups:

Group	Title	Typical services
59.1	Motion picture, video and television programme activities	Commissioned films, documentaries, training films, post-production
59.2	Sound recording and music publishing activities	Voice-over, dubbing, audio guides, audio productions

Public contracting authorities procure from this sector in particular corporate films, training videos, documentaries as well as audio productions for accessibility formats.

Public Tenders: Sector NACE 59

Film and audio productions are procured by public bodies on a continuous basis — for public relations, education, museums, cultural institutions and digital communications.

Typical types of contract

Government corporate films and explainer videos: Ministries, authorities and municipal bodies commission corporate films for web and social media
Training and e-learning videos: Public institutions commission education and training videos
Documentary productions: Cultural institutions, archives and memorial sites commission documentary films
Audio guides and museum tours: Museums and tourism associations procure audio productions
Dubbing and subtitling: Accessible preparation of media content in line with EU directives
Livestreaming and event recording: Transmission of public meetings, conferences and events

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 59

The link between the NACE classification and tender search is provided by the CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary), which must be stated in every contract notice on TED.

CPV Code	Title	Application
92100000	Motion picture services	Film production, post-production
92111200	Production of advertising, propaganda and information films	Corporate films, government communications
92111300	Production of educational films	E-learning content, training videos
92210000	Radio services	Programme production for public broadcasters
92312000	Performing arts services	Theatre recordings, cultural productions
79342200	Promotional services	Campaign films, marketing videos

Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.

For Contracting Authorities and Bidders

Public contracting authorities

Ministries for communications and public relations, cultural institutions, education authorities, public-service broadcasters as well as tourism organisations are the key contracting authorities in this segment. Public-service broadcasters (ORF, ARD, ZDF, SRF) are, as utility sector contracting entities, partially subject to their own procurement rules. Municipal bodies regularly commission smaller productions in the below-threshold area.

Companies and bidders

Film production companies and sound studios that participate in public procurement must typically provide the following evidence:

Creative references: Showreel or reference productions of comparable nature and complexity
Technical equipment: Evidence of professional production equipment or access to it
Copyright clearance: Confirmation that all music, image and archive rights used have been cleared
Accessibility: Capability to produce subtitles (WebVTT/SRT), audio description and sign language interpreting in accordance with EN 301 549

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 59 and public tenders

Which businesses fall under NACE 59?
Film production companies, post-production firms, sound studios, dubbing studios as well as companies engaged in the distribution and rental of audiovisual content. The distinction from NACE 60 (broadcasting) is that NACE 59 covers production and distribution, not transmission.

Are film productions subject to direct award procedures?
Below national value thresholds, creative services may be awarded directly. For larger productions, a competitive dialogue or a negotiated procedure that takes creative concepts into account is recommended.

How is creativity assessed in procurement?
Generally through qualitative award criteria: concept quality, creativity of the treatment, references and price. The weighting of price may be reduced for creative services — typical split: 40–60 % quality, 40–60 % price.

Navigation: NACE 59 in context

NACE J – Information and Communication: Parent section
NACE 58 – Publishing activities: Publishers and media publications
NACE 60 – Programming and broadcasting activities: Radio and television
NACE 73 – Advertising and market research: Communications agencies

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.