NACE 59.2 – Sound Recording and Music Publishing Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 59.2 covers sound studio services, the production of radio programmes and podcasts, the post-production of audio material and music publishing including the exploitation of music rights. In the public sector, this area is mainly relevant for radio productions, audio guides and audio communication for public authorities.

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

What does NACE 59.2 cover?

NACE 59.2 (Sound recording and music publishing activities) classifies undertakings that produce, post-produce and exploit audio media — from sound studio service providers through music publishers to podcast and radio drama producers.

Group 59.2 within Section J (Information and communication) and Division 59 contains a single class:

Public contracting authorities under NACE 59.2 are primarily public service broadcasters, cultural authorities, museums (audio guides), educational institutions and information bodies with audio requirements.

Public Tenders: Activities under NACE 59.2

Audio productions are regularly procured on the market by public bodies for audio guides, radio dramas, podcasts, hold-music productions and authority telephone announcements.

Typical types of contract

• Audio guides for museums and memorial sites: Multilingual audio tours for public cultural institutions
• Podcast productions: Authorities and public institutions increasingly produce their own information podcasts
• Radio drama and audiobook productions: Cultural authorities and education ministries commission audio productions for accessibility
• Sound design and music licensing: Music for authority events, trade fairs, corporate films and web content
• Hold-music productions: Professional recordings for authority call centres and telephone systems
• Accessible audio description: Audio descriptions for blind and visually impaired persons at cultural events

Thresholds and procedure types

Audio productions, as service contracts, are subject to the EU threshold of EUR 221,000. For smaller productions (hold music, simple recordings), national tendering is common. Larger productions (museum audio guides, extensive podcast series) may be tendered EU-wide, with creative concepts assessed under the negotiated procedure.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 59.2

Audio production contracts are identified by specific CPV codes from the sound and broadcasting area.

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

For whom is NACE 59.2 relevant in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

Public service broadcasters (ARD, ZDF, ORF) are the highest-volume contracting authorities for audio productions in Germany and Austria — though with special broadcasting-law procurement rules. Federal authorities with their own communication needs (e.g. the Federal Agency for Civic Education, the Federal Employment Agency) regularly tender audio content. Museums, memorial sites and cultural institutions commission audio guide productions. Universities and education ministries procure audio material for e-learning platforms. Municipalities commission local sound studios for city anniversaries and event productions.

Companies and bidders

Sound studios and audio production houses should consider the following:

• GEMA licences and music rights: Contracting authorities expect full clearance of music rights by the contractor
• Multilingualism: In particular, audio guides require professional voice talent in several languages
• Accessibility: Audio descriptions and subtitles for videos must comply with BITV 2.0 / WCAG
• File formats: Public contracting authorities often specify precise codec, sample rate and bitrate requirements

Frequently asked questions about NACE 59.2 and public tenders

Are public service broadcasters subject to public procurement law? ARD, ZDF and ORF are public service broadcasters that are in principle subject to public procurement law. For editorial and programme decisions, however, special broadcasting-law rules apply. Technical and production services are generally subject to mandatory tendering.

How are music licences handled in authority productions? Where music is used for an authority production, the contractor must obtain and provide evidence of GEMA licences or corresponding royalty-free licences. The costs must be factored into the bid.

Are podcast productions subject to mandatory tendering? Yes, where the thresholds are exceeded. Many authority podcasts are produced below national thresholds and can be awarded under simplified procedures.

Can a sound studio also take on script development? Yes — mixed contracts covering conceptualisation, script development and production are classified as service contracts. The principal service determines the CPV classification.

NACE 59.2 in context: Section J and Division 59

• NACE J – Information and communication: Parent section
• NACE 59 – Motion picture, video, sound recording and broadcasting activities: Division covering all film and sound classes
• NACE 59.1 – Motion picture, video and television programme activities: Corporate films and public relations
• NACE 60.1 – Radio broadcasting: Radio broadcasting and transmission

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